SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras –
Service members from Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element began participation in a two-day Medical Readiness Training Exercise (MEDRETE) in Cortes Department, Honduras, Feb. 18, 2016, working side by side with Honduran Ministry of Health representatives and counterparts.
In addition to Honduran MoH, there are also Red Cross members available to help facilitate communication between JTF-Bravo personnel and the patients who come from miles to receive the healthcare available at the MEDRETE.
MEDRETEs are an opportunity for JTF-Bravo Service members to engage with the local host nation community while improving their abilities to perform under austere conditions in remote locations, and for under-served areas of Honduras and Central America to receive free basic health care.
Traditionally, these exercises facilitate medical services for an estimated 500 patients per day, who receive a variety of care to include initial health classes, basic medical consultations, dental care and extractions as well as de-worming medication and vitamins.
During this time a Medical Surgical Team will also deploy to Cortes to provide basic surgeries, to include gall bladder removal.
MEDRETEs allow Honduran health representatives and Military to work with U.S. Service members and build relationships through teamwork with our partner nation.