Indian Army Opens Field Hospital in Quake-Hit Venezuela
Caracas: An Indian Army field hospital deployed under Operation Amistad in earthquake-hit Venezuela has become fully operational and providing free medical services around the clock, officials said on Monday.
The Indian Embassy in Venezuela said an Indian medical team comprising highly experienced doctors has set up a camp at La Rinconada International Raceway in Caracas.
A post on social media on Monday said the health camp was “now fully operational.” Services are open 24 hours a day. All services are free.
The 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes that occurred on Wednesday evening were among the strongest earthquakes in Venezuela for more than a century and were felt throughout the region.
The death toll from two powerful earthquakes in Venezuela on Sunday rose to 1,450; Thousands of people were injured and many more are missing.
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also said in his social media post that Operation Amistad “continues” in Venezuela.
He said the army field hospital “extended its compassionate hand to those affected by the earthquake.”
Indian Army doctors are taking care of the people, Jaiswal said, adding that the Venezuelan deputy health minister and the head of the Venezuelan Capital Region Government visited the field hospital.
On Sunday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that relief supplies, medical equipment and a field hospital unit sent by India have reached Venezuela and will support the country’s ongoing post-earthquake relief efforts.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) said on Sunday that two IAF C-17 Globemaster aircraft carried 66 tonnes of aid, including the Indian Army field hospital, more than 35 tonnes of relief materials, medicines and medical equipment and two BHISHM Cubes, as part of Operation Amistad, launched by India to provide humanitarian aid to Venezuela following strong earthquakes.
The Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and Maitri (BHISHM) cubes are mobile hospitals aimed at providing emergency medical care.
The two aircraft completed a 23-hour flight covering over 14,000 km of air distance from Delhi to Caracas.
“India stands shoulder to shoulder with the government and people of Venezuela during this difficult time,” the MEA said.
