MIAMI, USA (CMC) — The United States military command, otherwise known as Southern Command or SouthCOM, says US military medical professionals provided health care to more than 150,000 people in 14 nations in Latin America and the Caribbean during humanitarian-focused training exercises last year.

SouthCOM said that the multinational exercises – including stops in 11 nations by the hospital ship USNS Comfort during the Continuing Promise 2015 humanitarian and civic assistance deployment — are part of a “long-standing US military humanitarian training programme with partner nations in the region.”

The medical efforts generally take place in rural areas, and are co-ordinated with the host nation and other US government agencies, SouthCOM said.

“These training events enhance readiness of US military personnel and host nation medical forces, provide free medical treatment to communities and attempt to improve the overall level of care of the host nation’s healthcare system,” SouthCOM said.

It said the medical exercises last year provided one or more services in general surgery, specialised treatment and surgery, basic medical evaluation and treatment, preventive medicine treatment, dental screenings and treatment, optometry screenings and eyewear distribution, and public health training.

SouthCOM said small teams of US military personnel provided free care for nearly 38,000 people during 36 Medical Readiness Training Exercises (MEDRETEs) or Medical Civic Action Program (MEDCAP) exercises in seven nations during Fiscal Year 2015.

During Continuing Promise 2015 from April — September, it said the medical team from USNS Comfort treated more than 120,000 people during mission stops in 11 nations.

SouthCOM said Comfort’s diverse medical team included US military medical personnel, doctors and nurses from private aid organisations and partner nation health officials.

In addition to the medical services, the medical exercises provide veterinary care, livestock vaccinations and help to local farmers.