Barahona, Dominican Republic – The second Medical Readiness Training Exercise (MEDRETE) part of the ‘Beyond the Horizon’ humanitarian training exercise by U.S. and Canadian military medical units has begun at Centro María Auxiliadora in Barahona. Local Dominican medical professionals are also playing an important role of this endeavor which is free of charge for everyone and will run from the 27 of April to the 1st of May.
It is estimated that close to 3,000 people will seek free medical attention during the five days of the medical journey, according to results from the first MEDRETE at Escuela Básica Anaima Tejeda in Villa Central last week.
Free medical services include: Geriatrics, Gynecologists, Dental services, Dermatologists, Ophthalmologists, Pediatricians and Pharmacists. Patients will be treated on site and medicine will be provided as needed while serious conditions will be referred to local hospitals for immediate remedy.
Dominican army personnel stationed at the Fortaleza military base in Barahona and members of the local police are providing protection and security during these medical events. Groups of local volunteers are also providing crowd control and order in the lines.
Beyond the Horizons is a joint humanitarian training exercise sponsored by US Southern Command and US Army South. These humanitarian training exercises promote stronger and long lasting partnership and cooperation between the government of the U.S. and Dominican Republic.