Medical teams from the Kenya Defence Forces and the United States Armed Forces pointed to a humanitarian outreach as one of Exercise Justified Accord’s best examples of partnership, collaboration and the exchange of expertise.
Along with local civilian medical professionals, they delivered critical health care to Samburu County communities during a Medical Civic Action Program (MEDCAP) on February 26 and 27.
Kenyan Col. Mohammed Omar, a MEDCAP organizer, said the program reinforced military cooperation and operational readiness. A U.S. officer concurred, saying the outreach demonstrated how joint and multinational teams can rapidly deliver care during humanitarian crises while improving readiness across their forces.
“We are learning new skills, sharing experiences and preparing ourselves for operational activities,” he said. “Training is a continuous process so that we remain ready for missions.”
Based at Laresoro Health Centre and Archers Post Sub County Hospital, medical personnel conducted free outpatient consultations, basic laboratory tests, treatment for common illnesses, maternal and child health services, and health education.
“A total of 1,100 residents turned out and welcomed the initiative, noting that it improved access to healthcare services within the area,” the KDF said in a March 1 statement. “The medical exercise demonstrating the KDF and participating allied nations share a commitment not only to security collaboration but also to supporting host communities [to] overcome some societal ailments.”
Military forces conducted Justified Accord, the largest annual multinational training exercise in East Africa, in Djibouti, Kenya and Tanzania from February 23 through March 13. More than 1,500 personnel from 15 partner nations participated in the event, which was organized by the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and the Southern European Task Force, Africa.
The exercise strengthens multinational interoperability in support of humanitarian assistance and crisis response while preparing regional partners for missions with the United Nations and African Union.
Kenyan and U.S. veterinary personnel visited Laresoro on March 10 to treat, vaccinate and deworm more than 15,000 animals, including goats, dogs, camels, sheep and donkeys. They worked to improve the health and productivity of livestock, a key source of local livelihoods.
“Residents from Laresoro and surrounding areas expressed appreciation for the services offered, noting that access to veterinary services in remote areas is often limited, making the outreach both timely and beneficial,” Kenyan officials said.
South of Kenya’s border, the host Tanzania Peoples’ Defence Forces trained with fellow participants to build medical readiness, improve cybersecurity and strengthen crisis response. In March, Tanzanian military medical personnel and their U.S. counterparts visited Lugalo General Military Hospital in Dar es Salaam to deliver critical care to patients while strengthening their partnership.
“U.S. and Tanzanian military doctors are working side by side to strengthen their ability to keep troops and surrounding communities healthy and safe,” the U.S. embassy in Tanzania posted on social media on March 12. “By exchanging expertise and best practices, they are building lasting cooperation in military medicine that supports healthier and more resilient communities.”
U.S. Army Maj. Ryan Haug, a physician’s assistant, practiced in Kenya and was grateful for the opportunity to refine his clinical skills with diseases he has rarely encountered. He left with a new appreciation for his Kenyan colleagues.
“The opportunity to engage with partner forces and collaborate to care for people in need enhances interoperability and reinforces our country’s dedication to an important ally,” he said.