About 500 patients are checked daily.
More than 7,400 people will be assisted in the military medical mission of the ship USNS Comfort of the United States Navy, which since November 14 reached the coast of the municipality of Turbo and later will depart to the city of Riohacha.
During the opening ceremony of the Mission, the Minister of Defense, Guillermo Botero, reported that more than 200 doctors arrived in the country to serve the most vulnerable populations of the Urabá region of the Department of Antioquia.
He in the same way highlighted that the Comfort mission will serve in general medicine, optometry, pediatrics, dentistry and ophthalmology, among other specialties.
"For the Ministry of National Defense, the fulfillment of the duty to promote any activity that entails well-being for a good life conditions is highly satisfactory. Today, for that reason, we are pleased to install this cooperative operation with the Government of the United States," said Minister Botero.
He in the same way informed that this mission will provide services in Turbo (Department of Antioquia) and Riohacha (in the department of La Guajira).
"Police members and soldiers of land, sea and air have worked hard to provide logistics to this Mission, so that the 200 doctors have the best conditions to treat patients both on board the ship and at the points of care on land," he said.
The National Navy, in Turbo, and the National Army, in Riohacha, in coordination with the National Police, will provide all the security and logistics necessary for the appropriate development of the humanitarian mission.
"On behalf of the government of Colombia, headed by Iván Duque, I thank the Embassy, the Southern Command and the United States Navy for ratifying their solidarity commitment through a cooperative work that is reflected in improving the quality of life of fellow citizens, a mission that is common to both of us, which is the base of the existence of democratic states," said the head of the defense ministry.
Source: Ministry of National Defense
