Story by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joshua Jarvis

USS Boxer (LHD 4) Public Affairs

HUACHO, Peru – Medical professionals embarked aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4) opened the doors of Peru’s Salon Parochial medical site, June 10, to provide healthcare during the Peruvian phase of Continuing Promise (CP) 2008.

CP’s doctors and medical professionals spent the day at the church site at Huacho, Peru which was converted to a make-shift medical clinic for the visit.  The crew worked with Peruvian medical professionals and interpreters to provide services from several fields.

“Working side-by-side with the host nation’s medical professionals and sharing our medical knowledge is beneficial to both parties,” said Cmdr. John King, director of the site. “I think both sides gain a better appreciation of each other’s strengths and understand how to make healthcare better both in Peru and the United States.”

Patients lined the streets of Huacho and were waiting for treatment long before the team’s arrival.  They gleefully welcomed the site’s opening that morning.

“We had an incredible welcome this morning with people clapping and cheering,” King said.

Of the 1,000 patients at the site, a majority came to be seen by Continuing Promise optometrists.  

Treatments provided by the optometrists include routine eye exams and screenings for surgery in addition to giving out prescription glasses to those in need.

“We have 800 people waiting in line to be seen by an optometrist and we only have the capability and time to see 150 of those today,” said Lt. Carmen Harmon, who coordinates patient flow at the site.

“As long as you are able to treat the first patient and the last patient with the same respect and expertise, then I think we have done our job,” added King.

This was the first of three days at the site.  Patients receiving other healthcare services in just the first day included more than 500 medical patients, 129 dental patients in addition to more than 1,000 prescribed medications given out by the pharmacy.

Boxer’s mission exemplifies the U.S. maritime strategy which emphasizes deploying forces to build confidence and trust among nations through collective maritime security efforts that focus on common threats and mutual interests.