Accra, July 11, GNA - Personnel from the United States Army and Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) on Monday began a ten-day joint medical outreach programme, aimed at shoring up existing ties and promote interoperability between both institutions.

Dubbed; "Medical Field Logistics Assistance Group," (MEDFLAG), the programme, organised annually, brings together US army personnel with their counterparts from militaries in Africa to enhance the readiness of both countries' medical personnel in field operations.

The exercise aims at training both medical corps of the two armed forces to build and expand the deployable medical capabilities of both institutions, and to foster greater community relations through humanitarian civil assistance.

"We aim to build and expand the deployable medical capability of the Ghana Armed Forces through this exercise and to build on the existing ties between both institutions," said Lieutenant Colonel Rodney Boyd, Leader of the Medical Team from the US Army.

He said there was the need for both institutions to increase interoperability between them and exchange notes on experiences.

The 75-man US team, including 20 general practice doctors, would collaborate with personnel of the 37 Military Hospital and NADMO to undertake medical, dental and veterinary outreach services in three communities in the Dangbe West District of Greater Accra Region.

The exercise would also consist of classroom instructions, field training and mass casualty exercises, aimed at training personnel in a variety of disciplines in addition to medical academics.

Lt-Gen Peter Blay, Chief of Defence Staff of GAF, lauded the US African Command (AFRICOM) initiative, saying the programme would benefit both institutions and nations.

He entreated participants to put all energies and time in the programme to ensure that both sides derived benefits from the exercise, adding that participants should improve their lot through the initiative.

MEDFLAG has been held in other African countries including Gabon, Cameroun, Equatorial Guinea, Angola, and Tunisia.