PRESIDENT TO INSPECT "USNS MERCY" IN AMBON

Ambon, Maluku, May 28 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is expected to inspect the United States Navy's floating hospital USNS Mercy T-AH-19 here on August 3, 2010.

Maluku Health Office chief Ms Fat Bassalamah said here on Friday that the president would on August 3 inspect the USNS Mercy which was scheduled to arrive in Ambon on July 29 to support the Surya Baskara Jaya health services operation in Maluku.

"The USNS Mercy will berth at the Yos Sudarso pier from July 29 until August 4 to help make the Surya Baskara Jaya health services operation a success as part of the international marine event of Sail Banda 2010," Bassalamah said.

She said the presence of the USNS Mercy would be the realization of the US Navy's social concern for the Maluku people's need for free medical services and would help meet that need on the occasion of the international marine event of Sail Banda 2010.

"The 273-meter long USNS Mercy T-AH-19 with 956 medical personnel and doctors is arguably the most sophisticated vessel in its class to assist the Indonesian Navy's KRI Dr Soeharso in giving medical services to the people of Maluku," she said.

Bassalamah said the KRI Dr Soeharso and USNS Mercy would give free medical services to people in Ambon while the same was to be done by the Sailing Medical Service (SMS) in the districts of Buru Selatan, West Southeast Maluku (MTB), and Southwest Maluku (MBD).

"In addition, Australia, Malaysia, and Singapore will also send their hospital ships to join the KRI Dr Soeharso and USNS Mercy in the health services operation in the province," she said.
The third-generation USNS Mercy (T-AH-19) is the lead ship in her her class of hospital ships in the United States Navy.