The Health Project of the Millennium Challenge Account Mongolia (MCA-M), invited by the U.S. Air force, took part in an international health service outreach mission from July 18 to July 23, 2011. Participating organizations included the U.S. Air Force, the Millennium Challenge Account, the Mongolian Armed Forces, the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) and the nongovernmental organization, Project Hope.
Four health services (dentistry, optometry, general medicine and gynecology) were offered in four locations in the Khentii aimag - Ondorkhaan, Tsenkhermandal, Delgerkhaan and Jargalkhaan- three of which are soums, allowing residents of the smaller and more remote areas to access health care.
Along with medical care, complimentary prescriptions, multivitamins, sunglasses, eyeglasses and toothbrushes were distributed as needed.
The MCA-M Health Project staff conducted trainings on NCDI risk factors, with hypertension and its causes dominating the question and discussion component. Participants asked many questions and were eager to learn. The trainings took place at all four locations, amounting to at least 1,000 people trained.
Health Service Delivery
Women, children and men showed up for medical attention. It is estimated that around 4,300 people were treated.
Due to the high demand for services, Kherlen, a 49 year-old women, arrived at the Ondorkhaan hospital at 4:00 am to ensure she received a check-up.
Kherlen saw a general practitioner, eye doctor and gynecologist. And on her third day, as a result of her positive experience earlier in the week, she brought her mother for a general check-up too. Kherlen was pleased with the quality of the service and declared that the doctors, “took sufficient time on her and their diagnosis.” Another participant, Shine Bayar (pictured below), a 12 year-old girl, stated, “I got sick often this year with headaches and dizziness,” and decided to attend this event after she “heard from her parents that doctors from the army were here.” Shine was informed that she was healthy, but going through puberty. To ensure her continued health, the doctors prescribed her multivitamins, toothpaste and other supplements.
In some cases participant were notified not only of their condition, but also of the need for regular medical help. Monponsukh, a man from Moron soum, was diagnosed with kidney stones, a previous condition that was left untreated. This time, he reported that he was given free medicine, instructed on its usage, and advised to continue monitoring his condition with a doctor. At his last doctor’s appointment a few years ago, he had not been alerted to the need for continued medical supervision or possible causes of his kidney stones.
