After a successful two weeks of fulfilling their promise, the United States Naval Forces Southern Command ended with a closing ceremony on Friday 22nd at the Royalton Grenada Hotel.
The continuing promise mission which encompasses direct medical care, the conducting of training, expert advice on medical and disaster topics, and veterinary care encourages the establishment of new partnerships among countries and international organizations.
On Thursday, September 21st the USNF team visited both the Happy Hill Secondary and the Florida Government School to hand over school equipment and refurbishments.
On Friday, September 22nd they had the chance to tour the fully furnished NADMA building in which they provided funding and equipment before the closing ceremony.
Senior Defense Military Liaison official of Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Commander James R. Collins said that it was fantastic to see how all the new equipment as well as the assistance management training accompanying it will help NADMA support the citizens of Grenada.
He noted that the continuing promise mission is one of the General’s favourite missions because it delivers significant and immediate results, adding that it was his honor and privilege for CP 2023 Grenada this year and took a moment to thank the crew for their outstanding work.
He also thanked the Government of Grenada for its hospitality and openness in strengthening their partnership.
He mentioned that this summer the United States donated a 1 million dollar U.S. utility boat to the RGPF Coast Guard which he says will continue to be supported with maintenance visits from the Caribbean-based Technical assistance field team.
Collins referred back to 2022 when they continued the long tradition of providing resident training to RGPF personnel.
“South COM and the RGPF also continue to work together to combat the trafficking of illegal narcotics through the waters of the Eastern Caribbean as well as to combat the regulating and unreported fishing in this part of the neighbourhood,” he said.
Director of Medical Services at the General Hospital, Dr. Tyhiesia Donald gave an overview of the Southern Command team’s positive impact on the health sector.
She highlighted that the health sector was the widest coverage of the edition as there was collaboration in a series of different areas.
Dr. Donald stressed that there were collaborations with nurse practitioners and medicine physicians who worked alongside the local team at over 10 health centers throughout Grenada as well as Carriacou to render services.
She referred to the services they provided to community members which included home visits and working alongside local doctors and nurses at various clinics providing health care and sharing their expertise.
She mentioned that persons were able to benefit as they were able to receive eyeglasses, and sunglasses and get their vision checked.
Dr. Donald noted that in the area of eye care, their ophthalmologists worked alongside the local eye ward team and the dental team who provide dental services throughout the clinics of Grenada and Carriacou.
She also mentioned that the US Navy radiologist had worked alongside the lone radiologist on the island in extending service to Grenadians.
“While Grenada has a population of 110,000 people we only have one radiologist. So you can very well imagine that having another radiologist on the island for these two weeks was extremely exciting and extremely heartening,” she said.
U.S. Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Linda Swartz Taglialatela shared her wonderful experience working with Grenadians over the past two weeks and her satisfaction with how the services and donation have been received.
Ag. Prime Minister and Minister of Mobilisation Implementation and Transformation (MIT) Andy Williams presented a token to Ambassador Taglialatela to show appreciation for work done in Grenada as part of the CP 2023 Mission Grenada.