2006 Med Flag exercise wraps up in Ghana

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Pamela Anderson
  • 52 FW Public Affairs
TAMALE, Ghana -- --  In four short days, medical personnel from Spangdahlem Air Base and Ramstein AB, Germany, made a difference in the lives of more than 3,200 Ghanaians. 

The Airmen were deployed to the West African city of Tamale for MEDFLAG 2006 and manned two clinics; one was located at Bilpeila, in the heart of Tamale, and the other in the village Tampiong. 

In an area where standard medical care is scarce, hundreds of people waited in lines for days for the chance to see the U.S. military doctors and though not everyone was able to be seen, those who did get seen were grateful for the chance. 

"I have never seen an American in Ghana before, until now," said Abulsari Rafakat, who waited in line all day Sept. 12 before being seen Sept. 13. "I'm feeling good to see them come. I wish they would be here all the time." 

The fact that they've made a difference to so many people isn't lost on those who have been treating the Ghanaians. 

"It's probably the best thing I've ever done, just to be able touch so many lives," said Senior Airman Holly Klug, an optometry technician from the 435th Medical Group. "Watching the reaction on their faces when they could see was the best part." 

Maj. Shane Dieckman is also glad to be part of MEDFLAG 2006, but has mixed feelings about what he's doing. 

"I'm proud to represent our country and our military, but it's hard to see the unfortunate circumstances they live in," he said. "They are desperate for healthcare so it's good to be able to give a helping hand." 

That help is also appreciated by the Ghanaian health care providers who treat those patients on a regular basis. 

"We are happy that they showed up to help," said Sanatu Ahassan, a Ghanaian disease control officer.  "They are all hard working and have helped a lot of people.  I have learned so much from them, especially how to interact with patients.  We will miss (the American's) a lot." 

During their short stay, the medics made a difference, though it's only the beginning, according to Col. Victor Folarin, 52nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron commander and MEDFLAG 2006 commander. 

"You reach out to touch people only to realize that we can not do everything," he said. "This is one brick laid in the building of a community." 

Colonel Folarin said the deployment will leave a lasting impression on the Ghanaians and he credits his personnel for that. 

"I was blessed to have the Dream Team," he said. "They deserved the best and they got the best." 

The U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, Pamela Bridgewater visited both the Bilpeila and Tampiong Clinics and agreed with Colonel Folarin. 

"I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of gratitude, by the long, patient lines of people waiting for assessment and medical, dental and optometry treatment, and by the enthusiasm demonstrated by the USAFE forces from 52nd Medical and 86th Support Groups," she said. "The outreach was win-win and I was never more proud of being an American than when I saw USAFE forces in action." 

MEDFLAG 2006 was a 14-day exercise involving US Armed Forces in Europe staging medical operations in the countries of Benin, Senegal, Nigeria, and Ghana. More than 50 medical, support and security personnel deployed from three bases in Germany -- Spangdahlem AB, Ramstein AB and Sembach AB.  The Airmen worked along-side their Ghanaian military counterparts at the clinics, treated patients and learned about regional diseases and approaches to treatment from each other.  Specialties represented include Family Practice, Pediatrics, Dentistry and Optometry.