Indian military doctors lead earthquake relief effort in Venezuela (Photo: Indian Army)
New Delhi: An Indian Army medical contingent deployed to Venezuela under Operation Amistad has treated more than 800 patients since arriving in the disaster-hit country, a defence official said on Thursday. The team from 60 Para Field Hospital has treated 815 casualties as of July 2, with 20 patients currently admitted for further treatment and observation.
Beyond emergency trauma care, the contingent has carried out 233 dental consultations, 1,836 laboratory investigations and 253 X-ray examinations. It has also performed about 65 surgeries on patients severely affected by the disaster.
India launched Operation Amistad, Spanish for “friendship”, after twin earthquakes measuring magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 struck northern Venezuela on June 24, killing more than 1,400 people and devastating Caracas and the coastal state of La Guaira. Critical infrastructure, including hospitals, came under severe strain as rescue operations continued amid repeated aftershocks.
Two Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft carrying the 41-member medical task force and about 35 tonnes of relief supplies, medicines and medical equipment departed from Hindon air force station on June 26.
The external affairs minister, S Jaishankar, announced the deployment on social media, describing it as urgent assistance for Venezuela's post-earthquake relief efforts. The consignment also included two BHISHM cube portable hospitals, designed for rapid deployment in disaster zones.
The field hospital, initially set up with 20 beds and expandable to 50 depending on requirement, is staffed by medical officers, surgeons, anaesthetists, and dental and orthopaedic specialists, alongside on-site x-ray and laboratory facilities.
India is among several nations, including from the Americas and Europe that have sent search-and-rescue teams and humanitarian aid to Venezuela, amid warming ties between the two countries and Venezuela's emergence as a significant crude oil supplier to India this year.
The Indian contingent continues to coordinate with local authorities to deliver healthcare support to communities affected by the earthquake.
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