USNS Mercy returns to Indonesia

July 13, 2006

The U.S. Naval hospital ship USNS Mercy returned to Indonesia July 12, arriving off the coast of Simeulue, Aceh Province, to provide humanitarian assistance to local communities. This is the first in a series of visits the hospital ship will make throughout Indonesia in the coming weeks.

Working closely with the Indonesian military, non-governmental organizations, and local medical care professionals, the USNS Mercy’s team of doctors and healthcare providers will conduct medical, dental and civic action programs both onshore and at sea. In addition, the Mercy team will work with Indonesian medical schools, hospitals, and public health programs to provide training that will have long-term benefits for the participants and their communities.

The Mercy’s return to Indonesia exemplifies the strong ties between the United States and Indonesia and the U.S. commitment to partner with Indonesia in addressing humanitarian concerns and civic needs. The visit builds upon the ship’s successful deployment to the region after the devastating tsunami that struck in 2004. During that mission more than 107,000 patients were treated.

The Mercy, which is based in San Diego, can provide a wide range of services including optometry screenings, eyewear distribution, physical therapy, radiological and laboratory services, dermatology, urology, obstetrics and gynecology, general surgery, plastic surgery, basic medical evaluation and treatment, dental screenings and treatment, immunizations, public health training and assessment, vector control and veterinary services.

In addition a small team of Sailors from the Naval Construction Force (Seabees) are traveling with the ship and they will carry out repair and minor construction projects to improve medical and sanitary conditions in local communities. The U.S. Navy Show Band is also aboard the ship, and they will be performing in several locations.

An array of U.S. and Indonesian government, military and civilian agencies have been working closely to arrange the ship’s return to Indonesia. Volunteers from Aloha Medical Mission, Project Hope, International Relief Teams and the University of California at San Diego Pre-Dental Society are among the members of the Mercy team, along with medical specialists from the Indian and Canadian militaries.

Indonesia is only one stop on the USNS Mercy’s current tour of Southeast Asia. The Mercy recently completed humanitarian visits to the Philippines and Bangladesh.

For further information, please contact U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs at 1(808) 471-3769, or the Press Office of the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta at (62-21) 3435-9523 . For photos of USNS Mercy, visit http://www.news.navy.mil/index.asp , keyword Mercy.

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