TEGUCIGALPA – Ambassador James D. Nealon visited Hospital Escuela on September 10 to observe a Medical Readiness Training Exercise (MEDRETE) led by Joint Task Force-Bravo’s Medical Element (MEDEL) and San Antonio Military Medical Center in Texas. The MEDRETE, being conducted over two weeks, aims to assist Honduran medical professionals and the Government of Honduras to improve medical care for Hondurans with significant traumatic injuries to their hands that prevent them from being able to work and provide for their families. Sixty three patients have been treated thus far by the orthopedic team.
During his visit to Hospital Escuela, Ambassador Nealon met with the Rectora of the National Autonomous University of Honduras, Julieta Castellanos, as well as members of the hospital’s administration, including the Dr. Elsa Palou, President of the Hospital Escuela Board, and Dr. Handy Kafati.
In addition to the specialized orthopedic treatment, the MEDEL has carried out approximately 800 dental procedures for 100 children in Tegucigalpa.
MEDEL is made up of 63 Army personnel who have come together from all over the United States and have provided medical care to approximately 6,000 Hondurans in 2014. MEDEL provides preventative medical care, wellness check-ups, dental care, preventative dental care, surgical care, and physical therapy through local partnerships in Comayagua and through Medical Readiness Training Exercises (MEDRETEs) which are carried out on a weekly basis.
