U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) together with the ministries of Defense and Public Health of the Dominican Republic formally closed the medical operation “Friendship 2024,” which took place April 10-19 at the Dr. Francisco Vicente Castro Sandoval Hospital, also known as the Boca Chica Municipal Hospital.
For nine days, some 31 members of SOUTHCOM provided medical assistance to the civilian population in need of eastern Santo Domingo, while offering them guidance for the prevention and integral care of their health, reflecting the shared interest of both nations in preserving the health and safety of citizens through medicine.
More than 1,600 people received free consultations at this hospital. Among the procedures, which totaled 3,235, assistance was provided in key areas such as dentistry, optometry, primary care, and emergency services. All this after the military members participating in the exercise completed more than 3,600 hours of training and education.
In addition, as part of the donations, more than 250 pairs of eyeglasses and other medical supplies valued at some$78,350 were provided, surpassing the amount of $500,000 in total medical services provided.
The closing event was headed by Lieutenant Colonel Abdiel Rosado, head of the Security and Cooperation Office of the U.S. Embassy; Dr. Mary Zachariah-Kurian, representative of the U.S. medical team; the executive director of the Dr. Francisco Vicente Castro Sandoval Hospital, Dr. María Mora Luciano; and Dr. Martín Salazar, representative of the Armed Forces medical team.
Lt. Col. Rosado expressed that “the end result of this exercise, in addition to providing significant support to the health of a needy sector of the population and achieving advances in the experience and training of the military medical forces, was to develop bonds of friendship between the citizens of the United States and the Dominican Republic, invaluable ties that will last a lifetime.”