What are officially termed “anomalous health incidents” including severe headaches and vertigo are more commonly known as Havana Syndrome. Image: Triff/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffThe House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has asked the DoD and the VA for information on how they are carrying out a law entitling federal employees to treatment for symptoms of “Havana Syndrome” through the DoD medical system.
What are officially termed “anomalous health incidents” causing symptoms such as severe headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, tinnitus and vertigo are more commonly known as Havana Syndrome because they first were observed there. However, they have since been reported by federal civilian and military personnel in numerous other countries.
An initial letter to DoD from chairman Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., noted that while the department’s medical facilities generally treat only military personnel, the 2022 defense budget mandated that it “provide treatment to qualified U.S. civilian government employees and family members impacted by AHIs.”
“Despite this expansion of access, problems persist,” he wrote. He cited a 2024 GAO report finding what he called “significant shortcomings in patient access to the Department’s health systems and in the implementation of an AHI patient registry. Further, federal civilian employees have reported substantially impaired access to timely and appropriate medical care.”
“The Committee seeks to ensure the Department’s focus includes the healthcare needs of both military personnel and federal civilian employees when they return home from protecting our nation, recognizing their essential contributions to our national security,” he wrote.
In a more recent letter to the VA, he asked for information on how that department is coordinating with DoD medical facilities. “Given the complexity of AHI symptoms and the difficulties associated with diagnosis and treatment, the Committee seeks to better understand how VA is managing these cases,” he wrote.
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