U.S., BDF Provide Humanitarian Civilian Assistance in Malwelwe

Family and community members from the Malwelwe village gathered to receive medical treatment during a humanitarian civilian assistance event August 7, 2012.<br />



By Senior Airman Lausanne Morgan 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs THEBEPHATSWA AIR BASE, Botswana Aug 09, 2012
Family and community members from the Malwelwe village gathered to receive medical treatment during a humanitarian civilian assistance event August 7, 2012.



The HCA event was conducted as part of the MEDLITE/Southern Accord 12 exercise, a key element in a broader series of military-to-military activities that demonstrate the strong partnership between the U.S. and Botswana Defense Forces.



"We're here as part of MEDLITE/Southern Accord 12," said U.S. Air Force Captain Francis Obuseh, officer in charge of the humanitarian civilian assistance event. "As part of the exercise, we are providing humanitarian assistance to support the BDF in achieving their goals in different medical aspects."



During the humanitarian civilian assistance, there were about 45 U.S. military and BDF personnel providing dental care, HIV screening, and safe male circumcision.



"Last week we shared academic training and this event was a wonderful chance to work side-by-side with the BDF dental staff to provide care and really put into practice the things we learned in the classroom," said Lieutenant Colonel Enrique Rosado, an international health specialist dentist from U.S. Air Forces Africa.



Rosado said some of the common things that they saw during the dental screenings were tooth decay, tooth fractures and gum disease.



The medical team also provided a comprehensive HIV program for the villagers, said Obuseh. The members of the BDF provided HIV counseling, screening and SMC education, where the U.S. helped with the dental care and SMC surgeries.



"We're promoting circumcision because it offers partial protection against HIV," said Yvonne Kgwarae, Population Service International communications coordinator. "Circumcision provides 60 percent protection against HIV transmission. Botswana is one of the hardest countries hit when it comes to HIV."



Kgwarae assisted in coordinating the humanitarian civilian assistance, and through the PSI, she has worked about five years to help reduce the prevalence of HIV and improve overall health for the people of Botswana.



During the course of the day, the joint U.S. and BDF medical and dental teams performed 250 general medical consultations, 54 HIV tests, 63 dental examinations and 29 SMCs.



Malwelwe is one of four villages in Botswana the medical team will conduct humanitarian assistance events. Mantshwabisi, Monwane and Serinane will be the other villages visited by the team.



"It was a truly rewarding experience and I look forward to doing it again," said Rosado. "The people were so receptive and thankful for the services we were able to provide."

More in Media Room
Morocco Purchases AH-64 Apache Helicopters
Morocco marked its initial purchase of AH-64E Apache helicopters in a ceremony at Sale Air Base near Rabat, March 5, 2025.
Read more
Military Flight Supports Partner Training, Projects Global Power
U.S. Africa Command, supported by U.S. Strategic Command, conducted a unique training opportunity with Libyan military tactical air controllers to promote the process of reunification of Libyan military and security institutions Feb. 26 in the vicinity of Sirte, Libya.
Read more
Federal Government of Somalia engages al Shabaab with support from U.S. Forces
At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted collective self-defense airstrikes against al Shabaab on March 1, 2025.
Read more
More in Media Room
Morocco Purchases AH-64 Apache Helicopters
Morocco marked its initial purchase of AH-64E Apache helicopters in a ceremony at Sale Air Base near Rabat, March 5, 2025.
Read more
Military Flight Supports Partner Training, Projects Global Power
U.S. Africa Command, supported by U.S. Strategic Command, conducted a unique training opportunity with Libyan military tactical air controllers to promote the process of reunification of Libyan military and security institutions Feb. 26 in the vicinity of Sirte, Libya.
Read more
Federal Government of Somalia engages al Shabaab with support from U.S. Forces
At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted collective self-defense airstrikes against al Shabaab on March 1, 2025.
Read more
More in Media Room
Morocco Purchases AH-64 Apache Helicopters
Morocco marked its initial purchase of AH-64E Apache helicopters in a ceremony at Sale Air Base near Rabat, March 5, 2025.
Read more
Military Flight Supports Partner Training, Projects Global Power
U.S. Africa Command, supported by U.S. Strategic Command, conducted a unique training opportunity with Libyan military tactical air controllers to promote the process of reunification of Libyan military and security institutions Feb. 26 in the vicinity of Sirte, Libya.
Read more
Federal Government of Somalia engages al Shabaab with support from U.S. Forces
At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted collective self-defense airstrikes against al Shabaab on March 1, 2025.
Read more