speeches 2009

Remarks by Amb. Stephenson at the Medical Readiness Training Exercise (MEDRETE) in Darien

Centro Educativo José del Carmen Mejía, Yaviza, Darien

August 18, 2009

Personnel evaluating patients

It is refreshing to be back in the Darien, and I am pleased to have the opportunity to visit Yaviza for the first time.

I want to first extend my sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Health for all your leadership with this vitally important health mission and the Centro Educativo Jose del Carmen Mejia for hosting our medical team. This health mission is a reflection of our countries’ continued collaboration and commitment to helping improve the lives of all Panamanians.  

In my conversations with Panamanians, I am reminded of our countries’ shared challenges and opportunities. The issue of health care is always one of the most significant areas of concern for both Panamanians and my fellow citizens in the United States. Health is an issue that touches everyone.

Both our presidents, President Obama and President Martinelli entered office this year making clear their commitment to the well-being, health, and education for their citizens. And this medical mission is part of those broader commitments. Both our governments remain focused on helping improve the quality of life of the citizens in the Darien province.

But, our efforts are not new. From the time of Doctor Gorgas and the eradication of yellow fever – neighborhood by neighborhood - Panama and the United States have shared a long and positive history in the area of health.  

There was a time not so long ago when the Darien was out of reach to most, but today the Panamanian government is building roads, schools and hospitals and opening up this beautiful province. We are here in collaboration with the government to build on their good work to help even more people.

The U.S. Armed Forces have been conducting this type of medical mission in Panama for several years now. During this mission, the medical team will provide health, dental and eye services, and veterinarian services.

The professional team of U.S. Army Reserve doctors, nurses and other support staff join us from California. These men and women are not full-time soldiers however – they volunteer their time to lend a hand to others, sometimes in the U.S. and sometimes overseas like here in Yaviza. On a typical day, these men and women are working in hospitals and doctor’s offices back in California serving their fellow citizen.

In many ways, these visits are not only beneficial to you, but to us. As our 40 member team works alongside the 30 Panamanians from the Ministry of Health our doctors and nurses are able to learn new techniques and to better understand diseases in a way they couldn’t back in the U.S. We consider this interchange of ideas to be invaluable.

Our shared legacy of partnership in health is something we can all be proud of and continue to build on.