Field Hospital Deployed
Colombia sent a field hospital to Venezuela on Sunday to strengthen medical care for communities affected by the June 24 earthquakes, marking the second phase of its humanitarian response.
“After the search and rescue efforts, our efforts will focus on strengthening health care and humanitarian assistance for the affected communities,” said Admiral Ricardo Hurtado, Deputy Director for Disaster Management at Colombia’s National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD).
The field hospital is a joint effort between the UNGRD, the Ministry of Health and the Colombian Aerospace Force.
Medical Support Expanded
It is set to operate for over two months, with the capacity to treat up to 150 patients a day. The facility will be staffed by 35 professionals from Colombia’s Emergency Medical Team (EMT).
“This capacity will make it possible to provide emergency and stabilisation services, general medicine, paediatrics, gynaecology, ultrasound, obstetrics, clinical laboratory services, psychological care, medication distribution, and patient referral and counter-referral processes,” the admiral explained.
Orlando Pozo Paz, founding president of the San Rafael Hospital Ship, said emergency medical teams become vital as major disasters strain local health services.
“We have all the basic elements needed to care for patients and we have a roster or a team of specialists, […] and the entire logistics component that enables the hospital to function,” he added.
Aid Reaches Venezuela
To reinforce Venezuela’s health response, Colombia also sent 12 hospital beds, 1,000 body bags donated by the Office of the Attorney General and 5,000 face masks donated by private individuals.
According to the latest official figures from the Venezuelan government, the 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes have left 2,954 people dead, 16,592 injured and more than 10,700 displaced, many of them now living in temporary camps.
Government of Colombia, via Viory.Video
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