Orthopaedic Care Aboard the USNS Mercy During Operation Unified Assistance After the 2004 Asian Tsunami

Abstract

On December 26, 2004, a 9.0-magnitude earthquake occurred off the northwest coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The subsequent tsunami caused unprecedented destruction throughout the Indian Ocean basin1. In eleven nations, millions were injured and/or displaced and, although estimates vary, as many as 300,000 lives may have been lost2-4. Within days after this natural disaster, hundreds of humanitarian organizations and thousands of military troops from several countries mobilized to offer assistance5-7. The U.S. military response came in the form of Operation Unified Assistance, a mission of humanitarian aid and disaster relief8. Within days, the U.S. Navy carrier strike group led by the USS Abraham Lincoln and the expeditionary strike group led by the USS Bonhomme Richard were sent to provide aid to heavily damaged areas. Numerous U.S. military aircraft were also dispatched to facilitate the safe movement of personnel, food, medicine, and drinking water9,10. In addition to providing immediate relief services, the U.S. Navy deployed a hospital ship to the region. The USNS Mercy departed San Diego, California, on January 5, 2005, en route to the Aceh province of Sumatra, Indonesia. The mission of the USNS Mercy was to conduct medical humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations in support of the government of Indonesia to reduce suffering and improve public health. The Mercy crew of health-care providers included medical and surgical staff from the U.S. Navy and officers from the U.S. Public Health Service. To augment the Navy Medical Corps, approximately 100 civilian volunteer physicians, nurses, and technologists from the non-governmental organization Project HOPE were included11, making this the first mission in history to utilize civilian medical personnel aboard a U.S. Navy vessel. From February 5 through March 16, 2005, the USNS Mercy provided …