Comfort Arrives in Dominican Republic to Provide Medical Assistance

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Nall Morgan | The hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) is anchored off the coast of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic as it prepares for a six-day medical mission, Oct. 14, 2019. Comfort is working with health and government partners in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean to provide care on the ship and at land-based medical sites, helping to relieve pressure on national medical systems, including those strained by an increase in cross-border migrants. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Morgan K. Nall)  

SANTO DOMINGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

10.14.2019

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Maria Llanos 

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command / U.S. 4th Fleet

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic – The hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) arrived in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, for its tenth medical mission stop in Central America, South America and the Caribbean, Oct. 14.

While in Santo Domingo, U.S. service members and medical professionals will work alongside partner and host nation staff to provide much-needed medical assistance in communities with urgent health care needs and demonstrate the commitment to strengthen regional medical capacity.

“We are committed to increasing regional collaboration and partner nation capacity to provide medical assistance and disaster relief, a high priority for this region,” said Robin S. Berstein, U.S. ambassador in Dominican Republic. “The Comfort’s mission demonstrates the commitment of the American people to the people of Dominican Republic, that we are united in our shared responsibility to make this region stronger.”

Comfort’s team consists of more than 900 personnel, including medical specialists from the U.S. military, non-governmental organizations volunteers, and personnel from partner nations.

“We are very pleased to be benefitted from this initiative that will surely imprint an unforgettable mark in the memory and gratitude of all the citizens of the Dominican Republic,” said Lt. Gen. Ruben Dario Paulino Sem, minister of defense.

This marks the third visit of the Comfort to the Dominican Republic and the seventh to the region since 2007. The embarked medical teams will provide care aboard Comfort and at two shore-based medical sites.

This mission stop is part of U.S. Southern Command’s Enduring Promise initiative and reflects the United States’ ongoing commitment to friendship, partnership, and solidarity with partner nations in the Caribbean, Central America and South America.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/NAVSOUS4THFLT, www.dvidshub.net/feature/comfort2019, and www.navy.mil.

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• Date Taken: 10.14.2019
• Date Posted: 10.17.2019 09:54
• Story ID: 347973
• Location: SANTO DOMINGO, DO