'Pacific Angel' ends goodwill mission

In the past week, the Jaffna peninsula was touched by the benevolence of the 'Pacific Angel'.

Each year the wings of kindness expands to the most needed parts of the country and this year the villages of the Northern Province were touched. 'Pacific Angel' is the joint effort of the United States Pacific Air Forces and the Sri Lanka Security Forces in serving communities of Sri Lanka through a medical and renovation campaign.

Villagers register at the medical camp

Exchanging knowledge in patient movement by air

An annual event that was carried out in silence in the past, 'Pacific Angel' was launched on August 5 for the people of the Jaffna peninsula. The project ends today (11).

The first stage of the medical program was conducted at Thikkam Cultural Hall in Alvai North on August 5 and 6 with international health professionals and nursing assistance of US Pacific Air Forces comprising professionals from USA, Australia Bangladesh and the Maldives Armed Forces.

The Sri Lankan Medical Contingent comprised a 14-member crew including doctors and consultants from the Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy, Sri Lanka Air Force and assistance from Red Cross members and University students.

The program mainly focused on providing primary health care, physical therapy, optometry and dentistry for civilians.

The goal of this initiative was to share the knowledge and experiences of health professionals who represent various countries. A health education program was also conducted at the assembly area for civilians.

'Pacific Angel' is the annual exercise of United State Pacific Air Forces which is conducted in a selected country in the Pacific and Asian region in collaboration with the Security Forces and civil organisations of the country. In Sri Lanka the aim of the exercise was to enhance disaster response and make US assistance in times of disaster to be more effective.

The program co-hosted a Health Services Outreach and Engineering Civil Program which was conducted at selected places and underprivileged schools in the Northern peninsula.

Both activities provided benefits to the local population, while allowing multi-national responders and Sri Lankans to practice providing emergency medical assistance and engaging in reconstruction, following a disaster situation.

The second stage of the medical program was conducted at Saivapragasa Vidyalayam in Atchuveli on August 8 and 9.

The renovation programs which focused mainly on the renovation of school buildings and uplifting the infrastructure facilities of underprivileged schools which were selected on a priority basis.

The renovation program commenced at Punnalaikkadduvan Primary School, Kuddiyapulam Mixed School and Atchuveli Saivapragasa Vidyalayam on August 4.

Treating a patient

US soldiers renovatine the pathway in mid day heat

The works contingent which comprises of seventeen works engineers from US Pacific Air Forces, along with crew from Sri Lanka Air Force, Navy and Army.

They were engaged in masonry, carpentry, plumbing, electrical works and beautification of surroundings of those schools.

This exercise provided a forum for military engineers and technicians to expand knowledge, share expertise and advance skills through mutual discussion apart from the primary objective of the exercise which was to enhance infrastructure facilities and livelihood development of needy people.

The exercise represents a unique opportunity for military, medical and engineering professionals to engage on issues of mutual interest, exchange knowledge and promote excellence in medical and engineering practices.

In addition to the participants from US Pacific Air Forces (USA and Australia) and co-host, Sri Lanka, participating nations in the exercise included Air Force personnel from Bangladesh and the Maldives.

Meanwhile, a Medical Exchange Program of aero medical evacuation with the US Pacific Air Forces and Sri Lanka Air Force personnel was conducted at SLAF Base, Katunayake from August 5 to 9.

The program included facilitating a basic understanding of general aero-medical evacuation principles for rotary and fixed wing aircraft, the unique requirements for en-route care as it relates to stresses of flight and briefings and lessons learned from previous evacuations.The facilitators used standardised Defence Institute of Medical Operations (DIMO) curriculum for the course concerning Patient Movement by Air in Humanitarian Assistance, Disaster Response and Military Operations.Apart from the lessons on theoretical aspects they also took part in a practical session which involved a C-130 aircraft and MI 17 helicopter.

- Dhaneshi