2006 Press Releases

U.S. Military Conducts Medical Exercise (May 3, 2006)

The United States Southern Command, in conjunction with the Belize Defence Force and the Ministry of Health, will conduct another Medical Readiness Training Exercise (MEDRETE) in Belize, this time in the Orange Walk District.  The unit providing these services is from the District of Columbia Medical Command.

U.S. medical personnel will be visiting the villages of August Pine Ridge, Guinea Grass and San Pablo from May 8 – 17 to offer free medical services to residents in these areas.  Posters with information of exact dates and locations are being posted in all MEDRETE areas. 

This is the first MEDRETE team to visit Belize in 2006.  Last year, there were two MEDRETE exercises in the Toledo and Stann Creek Districts.

U. S. Ambassador Robert Dieter comments, "I am pleased that MEDRETE continues to visit Belize each year.  These MEDRETE teams provide quality medical care free of cost to the public and receive training as they work side by side with Belizean military and civilian authorities.”

The MEDRETE team will provide basic medical care in the areas of family practice, pediatrics, internal medicine, hearing tests for children, as well as eye and dental care.  Veterinary services will also be provided.  Residents in the Orange Walk District are urged to take advantage of this opportunity.  The team is capable of seeing 500 - 700 people per day.