The hospital ship USNS Comfort arrived in Manta, Ecuador for the first mission stop of the 2019 deployment, on June 26. While in Manta, US service members and medical professionals will cooperate with partners and host nation medical professionals to provide necessary medical assistance in communities with health care needs.
This marks the seventh hospital ship deployment to the region since 2007. While in Ecuador, the embarked medical teams will provide care on board Comfort and at two land-based medical sites, in order to relieve pressure on national medical systems strained partly by an increase in Venezuelan migrants.
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The ship’s team consists of military and civilian personnel from the US and partner nations including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Peru.
We are absolutely thrilled and eager to begin our work here in the beautiful port of Manta. Comfort’s team is ready to work side-by-side with doctors, nurses, and surgeons from throughout the region, exchanging expertise and providing assistance where we can to build a stronger neighborhood on a foundation of mutual respect and goodwill
highlighted Capt. Brian J. Diebold, commander, Task Force 49.
The deployment of the ship is part of US Southern Command’s Enduring Promise initiative and reflects the US’s commitment to and solidarity with partner nations in the Caribbean, Central America and South America.
