The United States Air Force Southern Medical Mission, Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team 2025 (LAMAT-25) is currently in Saint Lucia, delivering free, life-saving medical care to hundreds of residents.
The mission, which began on February 25 and runs until March 8, marks the fourth US medical mission to the island and includes a multidisciplinary team of over 43 health professionals.
In partnership with Taiwan, the mission will provide specialised services in vascular surgery, general surgery, cardiology, anesthesiology, respiratory therapy, biomedical technology, and dentistry.
Medical procedures will be conducted at Owen King European Union (OKEU) Hospital and Saint Jude Hospital, while dental and cardiology services will also be available at OKEU and clinics established at Anse La Raye and La Clery.
Colonel and cardiologist David Good of LAMAT-25 highlighted the team’s comprehensive expertise, saying, “We have 46 members from six reserve units and two active-duty units. We will have two vascular surgeons, two general trauma surgeons, two cardiologists, two ICU nurses, as well as biomedical technicians who should be able to repair a lot of equipment, hopefully keeping our medical devices operational.”
Taiwan’s contribution to the mission includes three highly skilled doctors – two oral surgeons and an echocardiogram specialist – along with additional doctors and nurses provided to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Taiwanese Ambassador, Her Excellency Nicole Su emphasised her country’s commitment to healthcare development in Saint Lucia, noting, “Through this knowledge and experience-sharing initiative, this trilateral cooperation will yield meaningful and lasting healthcare improvements.”
A key addition to this year’s mission is the Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) training, from February 25 to 28. This programme trained 20 healthcare professionals, law enforcement, and emergency responders from Saint Jude Hospital, Millennium Heights Medical Complex, Primary Health Care, the Marine Unit, the Fire Service, and the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force in handling trauma cases, vehicular accidents, and gunshot wounds.
Minister for Health Moses Jn. Baptiste expressed gratitude for the mission: “We deeply appreciate the invaluable contributions of the US government, the US Embassy, and the US Air Force South, along with Taiwan’s unwavering support. The medical expertise and resources provided through this mission will positively impact the lives of many Saint Lucians, ensuring access to specialized services that are otherwise difficult to obtain.”
The Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs thanked all medical professionals, technicians, and support staff for their dedication to making LAMAT-25 a success.
Am I reading correctly? A US team? Didn’t the US Secretary of State said that the US would only provide foreign aid if it meets three criteria: How it would help the US? What is in it for them? How would it make the American people more prosperous? The US can go to hell with their foreign aid, GOD bless the Taiwanese.
The US Air Force Medical Mission press release on this program contains additional information, such as what the deployed personnel are supposed to learn from these exercises. They are touting the opportunity to learn how to provide medical services in a field setting, which can hardly be the case while providing services in the modern EU hospital. Another is to provide experience with tropical diseases, which also doesn’t appear to be on the agenda with vascular surgery and dental care. Providing care in a country that lacks it as well as training the local medical personnel seem to be the true emphases. After honing their skills via this free program courtesy of the US taxpayer, wouldn’t it be nice if the local doctors, dentists, and hospital would give back by continuing to provide this care free to St. Lucians who need it? Instead of requiring patients to raise funds before being able to receive care or, if unable to do so, going without. I will add that the US taxpayers paying for this free care in the Caribbean do not get this care for free in the US.
@Anonymous #2 – they should be thankful as you are correct —
“I will add that the US taxpayers paying for this free care in the Caribbean do not get this care for free in the US.”
In the US I pay a total for medical, dental, vision approximately $280 US bi-weekly (taken off my paycheck up front) and I also pay co-pays in addition to meeting my deductible for any appointments.