Skip to main content

Military Health System

Eight nations participate in West African virtual pandemic exercise

Image of Picture of military personnel wearing a face mask looking at a laptop computer. Picture of military personnel wearing a face mask looking at a laptop computer

Recommended Content:

Coronavirus & the MHS Response | Global Health Engagement

Medical experts from six African nations, the United Kingdom and the United States, participated in a Virtual Pandemic Preparation and Response Engagement on March 16, in support of Obangame Express 2021, the largest multinational maritime exercise in Western Africa.

The virtual medical event served as an opportunity for partner nations to discuss infectious disease surveillance and virus outbreak response. Participants included medical leaders from Nigeria, Senegal, Côte D'Ivoire, Gabon, Liberia, and Ghana, along with medical professionals from the U.S. Navy and United Kingdom. These experts exchanged lessons learned from previous epidemics in their respective countries, as well as the unprecedented worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.

"The objective of the engagement, like Obangame Express 21, is to increase regional cooperation and interoperability. This event focused on how we can do that from a medical perspective." said U.S. Navy Lt. Amy Welkie, health security cooperation officer and the event's coordinator. "This allowed us to establish and build partnerships with our medical counterparts across the Gulf of Guinea."

Ghana Armed Forces Capt. Edward Nyarko, public health director at the 37th Military Hospital in Ghana, discussed the role Ghana Armed Forces' played in the national COVID-19 response. Nyarko credits his team's experience with previous outbreaks, such as the Ebola epidemic and prioritizing response workers' mental health for his team's many successes in saving lives in Ghana.

"All of us have one aim, and that is to ensure that we are prepared for any eventuality, especially for disease outbreaks," Nyarko said. "NAMRU-3 has been one of our biggest supporters as they are embedded in [the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research]."

Nyarko emphasized the importance of prior multinational partnerships with the U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit-No. 3 (NAMRU-3), U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and others.

Through facilitated discussions, the event highlighted collaborations between militaries and local public health departments and the current goal of recovering previously infected military members.

Service members from the U.S. Navy and Royal Navy presented their experiences with outbreak responses in maritime environments.

"Outbreaks are the same whether you're in a maritime environment or a land environment," said U.S. Navy Cmdr. Brian Legendre, preventive medicine physician with the Navy Medical Corps. Legendre offered a number of strategies such as room ventilation, diagnostic testing, increased cleaning protocols, and isolation of sick patients as suggested tools for combating the spread of illnesses on ships.

Participants voiced their shared challenges during early pandemic response, which included shortages in personal protective equipment and limited accommodations for sick patients at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. In cross-sharing the challenges and solutions, participants assisted each other in improving professional bio-surveillance methods, and refining other techniques learned throughout the pandemic.

"It's been fabulous interacting with everyone and seeing how people have sort of faced similar challenges and come up with similar solutions," said Lt. Col Dan Burns, British Army infectious diseases consultant. "It's been brilliant, and I feel like we've learned a lot from the dialogue."

Exercise Obangame Express 2021, sponsored by AFRICOM and conducted by U.S. Naval Forces Africa, is designed to improve regional cooperation, maritime domain awareness, information-sharing practices, and tactical interdiction expertise to enhance the collective capabilities of Gulf of Guinea and West African nations to counter sea-based illicit activity.

You also may be interested in...

COVID-19 Registry Provides Pandemic Response Insights, Optimizes Patient Care

Article Around MHS
3/29/2023
Chief Navy Counselor Agnieszka Grzelczyk, from Dzierzoniow, Poland, assigned to Navy Talent Acquisition Group Philadelphia, receives the COVID-19 vaccine at Naval Weapons Station Earle.  (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Diana Quinlan/Released)

The COVID-19 registry provides the capability to look at treatments and outcomes and is used in conjunction with other larger data sources, enabling improved clinical decision making and better patient outcomes.

Recommended Content:

Information for Providers | Coronavirus & the MHS Response | Coronavirus

Navy’s Global Engagement Helps Identify and Mitigate Disease

Article
3/22/2023
Navy’s Global Engagement Helps Identify and Mitigate Disease

In support of the Military Health System, the Naval Medical Research Unit-2 is just one global entity that works with local partners to identify and combat global health threats.

Recommended Content:

Global Emerging Infections Surveillance | Global Health Engagement | Building Partner Capacity and Interoperability

U.S. Army, Kenya Defence Forces Offer Medical Services to Remote Kenyan Communities

Article Around MHS
3/7/2023
U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Dorothy Chiaravalle, assigned to 69th Infantry Regiment, 27th Brigade Combat Team, New York Army National Guard, performs a mouth assessment during a medical civic action program at Archer’s Post Sub County Hospital in Kenya on Feb. 18.  (Photo by U.S. Army Cpl. Genesis Miranda)

Providing humanitarian relief at home and abroad is an essential part of the mission of the U.S. Armed forces. From cataracts to cardiac care, see how this two-day medical mission brought dire assistance and education to a Kenyan community.

Recommended Content:

Building Partner Capacity and Interoperability | Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief | Global Health Engagement

Ireland Army Health Clinic Earns The Joint Commission Gold Seal Accreditation

Article Around MHS
2/27/2023
“Earning our Joint Commission Accreditation is truly an accomplishment which took teamwork, time, and tenacity,” said U.S. Army Col. Caryn R. Vernon, commander of Ireland Army Health Clinic Commander and director of the Central Kentucky Market. The clinic was recently awarded The Join Commission Gold Seal accreditation in both ambulatory services and behavioral health and human services. (Photo by Sara Morris, Fort Knox MEDDAC)

The Ireland Army Health Clinic, in Fort Knox, Kentucky, was recently awarded The Join Commission Gold Seal accreditation in both ambulatory services and behavioral health and human services. The primary care home was also awarded an additional certification.

Recommended Content:

Our History | Global Health Engagement

A 'Not-So-Routine' Operation

Article Around MHS
2/7/2023
Military personnel receives Distinguished Flying Cross

Like many heroes, he says he and his team were 'just doing our job'. Find out how Air Force Maj. (Dr.) Dominick Vitale's heroic critical care response to a horrific suicide bombing earned him one of the most honorable military decorations of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Recommended Content:

Global Health Engagement | Risk Assessment

Genome Sequencing Assists Research at Naval Health Research Center

Article
1/24/2023
Lab technicians doing genome research

Learn how unique samples from naval vessels, US-Mexico border populations, and DOD beneficiaries aided in the Naval Health Research Center’s sequencing efforts.

Recommended Content:

Research & Innovation | Coronavirus & the MHS Response | Coronavirus

U.S. Military HIV Research Lends Lessons Learned to COVID-19

Article
1/19/2023
Gloved hands working in laboratory

The U.S. military has engaged in HIV research for three decades, contributing critical lessons learned, knowledge, and expertise during the COVID-19 research and vaccine development effort.

Recommended Content:

Coronavirus & the MHS Response | DOD HIV/AIDS Prevention Program | Research & Innovation | Coronavirus

Naval Medical Research Center Uses Genome Sequencing for Variants

Article
1/12/2023
Military personnel pose for a group photo

NMRC’s efforts provided important support for sequencing and viral isolation to the Department of Defense and Military Health System.

Recommended Content:

Research & Innovation | Coronavirus & the MHS Response | Coronavirus

USAMRIID Focuses on Genome Sequencing to Detect Variants

Article
1/5/2023
Military medical personnel in laboratory

A connected family of laboratories across the MHS allows a more rapid response to the outbreak.

Recommended Content:

Research & Innovation | Coronavirus & the MHS Response | Coronavirus

Whole Genome Sequencing at Tripler Army Medical Center

Article
12/29/2022
Dr. Keith Fong reviews data with other lab technicians

The third installment in a 6-part series highlighting the efforts of the Military Health System laboratories and the technicians who worked to identify COVID-19 variants using special sequencing technology.

Recommended Content:

Coronavirus & the MHS Response | Research & Innovation | Coronavirus

Walter Reed Army Institute of Research Implements SARS-CoV-2 Genome Sequencing

Article
12/23/2022
Military medical personnel in laboratory

This is the second article in a 6-part series that highlights the work of technicians and scientists in Military Health System laboratories who worked to identify COVID-19 variants using special sequencing technology.

Recommended Content:

Global Health Engagement | Coronavirus & the MHS Response | Research & Innovation

Protect Yourself With Respiratory Illnesses on the Rise

Article Around MHS
12/19/2022
Military medical personnel administering vaccine

"Tis the season, and respiratory illnesses are on the rise. Learn critical health guidance about the viral triple threat of COVID-19, influenza, and the common cold, and the commonsense steps you can take to protect yourself and your family.

Recommended Content:

Coronavirus & the MHS Response | Children's Health | Medical and Dental Preventive Care Fitness | Immunization Tool Kit | Influenza, Northern Hemisphere | Immunization Healthcare Division

DHA Leaders Accept Prestigious Award on Behalf of NATO Working Group

Article
12/19/2022
Mark Goodge, DHA Division Chief, accepts award

Recommended Content:

Global Health Engagement | Health Care Technology | Building Partner Capacity and Interoperability | Global Health Security Agenda

Military Labs Use Whole Genome Sequencing of COVID-19 Variants

Article
12/16/2022
Lab technician at work

The first in a 6-part series highlighting the work of technicians and scientists working in support of the MHS who identified COVID-19 variants using special sequencing technology.

Recommended Content:

Research & Innovation | Coronavirus & the MHS Response | Coronavirus

DOD Reduces Health Care Waste by Reusing Crutches

Article
12/15/2022
Military personnel using crutches

When military facilities faced a national shortage of an essential mobility aid, they launched a grassroots initiative that not only ensured patient care, but also created a new waste reduction model within the DHA.

Recommended Content:

Warrior Care | Coronavirus & the MHS Response
<< < 1 2 3 4 5  ... > >> 
Showing results 1 - 15 Page 1 of 27
Refine your search
Last Updated: December 28, 2022
Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on YouTube Sign up on GovDelivery