U.S. Ambassador Inspects USNS Mercy’s Activities

AKP Phnom Penh, August 10, 2012 –

U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia H.E. William E. Todd yesterday visited the USNS Mercy’s military service members who provided free medical service at Preah Keto Mealea military hospital, in Phnom Penh.

Gen. Ly Vanna, the hospital’s Director, said in cooperation with medical doctors of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), the USNS Mercy’s team provided free surgery services and treatment to 18 Cambodian patients during their two-day mission at the hospital.

Even though the number is small, this showed a strong cooperation and friendship between the armed forces of the two countries, he said.

H.E. William E. Todd highly appreciated this humanitarian mission, saying that it is an exchange of surgery experience between the military doctors of both countries. He further said he is very proud of the Cambodia-U.S. partnership.

Under Pacific Partnership 2012, the U.S. Navy Military Sealift Command’s hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) has been visiting Cambodia since July 28 to provide free medical, dental, veterinary, and engineering assistance to communities throughout Cambodia until Aug. 11.

Cambodia first hosted Pacific Partnership in 2010 when over 14,000 people received free medical services. Pacific Partnership 2012 supports host nation programs and activities that serve local communities and increases the ability to work together to enhance military-civilian coordination among nations and organizations that share a common interest in maintaining a stable and secure Pacific region.

By CHEA Vannak