Keywords: US Navy 060605-N-3931M-038 Navy Lt. James Harris of the Medical Treatment Facility aboard the U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC) Hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19).jpg en Jolo Philippines June 5 2006 - Navy Lt James Harris of the Medical Treatment Facility aboard the U S Military Sealift Command MSC Hospital ship USNS Mercy T-AH 19 extracts a tooth from a patient during a Medical and Dental Civil Action Project MEDCAP at Camp Asturias Jolo Station Hospital while the ship visits the city on a scheduled humanitarian mission Tooth extraction is often required because untreated decaying teeth could cause infection and spread disease throughout the body if the disease is able to get to the bloodstream Mercy is on a five-month deployment to South Asia Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands The medical crew aboard Mercy will provide general and ophthalmology surgery basic medical evaluation and treatment preventive medicine treatment dental screenings and treatment optometry screenings eyewear distribution public health training and veterinary services as requested by the host nations Like all U S Naval forces Mercy is able to rapidly respond to a range of situations on short notice Mercy is uniquely capable of supporting medical and humanitarian assistance needs and is configured with special medical equipment and a robust multi-specialized medical team who can provide a range of services ashore as well as aboard the ship The medical staff is augmented with an assistance crew many of whom are part of non-governmental organizations which have significant medical capabilities U S Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Michael R McCormick RELEASED 2006-06-05 060605-N-3931M-038 Navy http //www navy mil/view_image asp id 35458 U S Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Michael R McCormick PD-USGov-Military-Navy Images from US Navy location Jolo Philippines Aboard USNS Mercy T-AH-19 |