Cleared for public release by USNS Mercy PAO LTJG Bashon W. Mann Mannbw@mercy.navy.mil

050419-N-6665R-030
Indian Ocean (April 19, 2005) – Dr. Akshay Dalal an anesthesiologist from the non-governmental organization “Project HOPE”, provides medication for an Indonesian patient as the medical team aboard the Military Sealift Command (MSC) hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) performs surgery. Mercy has 12 operating rooms and has performed over 100 surgeries since arriving on station in Nias, Indonesia. At the request of the government of Indonesia, the Military Sealift Command (MSC) hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) and the MSC combat stores ship USNS Niagara Falls (T-AFS 3) are on station off the coast of Nias, providing assistance as determined appropriate and necessary with earthquake disaster relief efforts and provide medical assistance to those in need. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Jeffrey Russell (RELEASED)