Argentine White Helmets arrive in Colombia as part of new strategy of humanitarian medical assistance for Venezuelan patients
Presidents Juan Manuel Santos, of Colombia, and Mauricio Macri, of Argentina, agreed on a new strategy of humanitarian medical assistance for Venezuelan patients in Cúcuta and Maicao, with the metropolitan area of the capital of Norte de Santander as pilot territory.
The goal of this strategy is to treat 200 patients a day, prioritizing fertile, pregnant and nursing women as well as children under the age of 17, coming from Venezuela and who are not patients of the Colombian healthcare system.
For the pilot scheme, Argentine White Helmets provided infrastructure, medical specialists, medicine and ultrasonography equipment, in addition to paying for logistical costs during the first weeks of assistance. Medical personnel reached the city of Cúcuta on Saturday 23 June.
This strategy was developed in a coordinated effort between the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship, the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Colombian Ministry of Health and Social Protection.
Services offered by the medical personnel of the participating entities include general medical assistance; specialties such as pediatrics, gynaecology, cardiology, psychology and complementary services such as clinical analysis, diagnostic imaging, ultrasonography and medicine supply.
The locations for medical assistance are currently fully prepared to launch the scheduled activities.
This strategy is expected to be carried out for a 6-month period, in which assistance will be provided from Monday to Saturday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the parking lot of the National Border Service Centre (CENAF), where the Colombian Immigration Service works.
The activities will be conducted in a coordinated effort between White Helmets of the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship, the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Colombian Ministry of Health and Social Protection, the Departmental Institute of Health, the IPS of Villa del Rosario, the Colombian Red Cross, the Norwegian Council, the Directorate of Comprehensive Action of the National Army and the Government of Norte de Santander.
Press Release No. 270/2018