The
U.S. Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) will arrive at the port of Callao to provide free surgeries to patients from Peru's Health Ministry-run (Minsa) hospitals, within the framework of institutional cooperation and mutual assistance between both countries.
Surgical procedures will be conducted from July 9 to 14, in coordination with the
Ministry of Health, the
Peruvian Navy, and the Callao Regional Department of Health (Diresa), said Executive Director of Health Operations at Minsa Juan Herrera.
"The types of surgery to be offered include abdominal wall surgery for hernias, chronic cholecystitis or gallstones, lipoma or benign tumors, among others. Minsa will be monitoring the postoperative care at hospitals to complete the procedure of the patient," he explained.
Herrera went on to say the hospital ship will provide specialized services such as ophthalmology, general surgery, orthopedic surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, plastic surgery, and wound care.
"The
U.S. Navy's visit will promote the exchange of experience with trained medical staff at hospitals with high complexity in Lima metropolitan area so as to strengthen their skills," he noted.
The
USNS Comfort crew includes doctors, nurses, as well as civilian and military technicians from the United States and other countries in the region.
The vessel has modern facilities including operating and post-surgery rooms, a computed tomography (CT) unit, X-ray equipment, a dental office, optometry laboratory, physical therapy area, two oxygen production plants, and a blood bank.
This is the fourth deployment of the USNS Comfort to Peru, treating nearly 23,000 patients in total.
(END) NDP/ART/RMB/MVB
Published: 7/4/2019