U.S. Embassy Conducts Medical Training Exercise with Maldives

February 14, Addu City, Maldives:  The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) conducted a week-long medical training exercise at the beginning of February with the Maldives National Defence Force and local civilian first responders, medical staff, and doctors.  The training increased inter-operability between medical first responders in Addu City and bolstered disaster readiness capabilities in Maldives.

During the Maldivian Medical Outreach Program conducted in Addu Atoll between 4-6 February by USINDOPACOM, a nurse from Addu Atoll is loaded onto a spinal board in a waterborne patient transport exercise.
Cultural exchange was a large part of the Maldivian Medical Outreach Program conducted in Addu Atoll between 4-6 February by USINDOPACOM. Here a female patient is loaded onto a spinal board during waterborne patient transfer.
During the Maldivian Medical Outreach Program conducted in Addu Atoll between 4-6 February by USINDOPACOM, HM1 Israel Rosa, SSG George Richards, and MNDF 1st Lieutenant Rashid conduct joint blocks of instruction before practical exercises.
During the Maldivian Medical Outreach Program conducted in Addu Atoll between 4-6 February by USINDOPACOM, Maldivian National Defence Force partners lead their small groups during hands-on patient transport break-out sessions.
During the Maldivian Medical Outreach Program conducted in Addu Atoll between 4-6 February by USINDOPACOM, SSG George Richards and an instructor from the Maldivian Red Crescent teach a joint class on blood loss and shock to an audience of MNDF and first responders on Addu Atoll.

The training provided included CPR, first aid, stabilizing medical interventions, and water-borne patient transportation and focused on mutual public health operations so that both nations can more effectively assist in the event of crises that endanger public health and safety.

“Thanks to this training, we expanded the horizons of both parties and enhanced our ability to operate together during times of crisis,” said INDOPACOM Medical Advisor George Richards, who was the training’s lead medical instructor.  “This cultural and medical exchange strengthens ties between the United States and our Maldivian partners.”

Personnel from the Civil Military Support Element from Fort Bragg in North Carolina and the U.S. Embassy in Colombo have regularly conducted medical training with the Maldives National Defence Force since the Maldives Medical Outreach Program was launched in 2016.  The U.S. military works alongside partner nations to increase interoperability, build partner capacity, prevent conflict, and promote peace.