Hospital ship makes 1st mission stop

MANTA, Ecuador - The Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) arrived in Manta, Ecuador, on its first deployment-mission stop June 26. While in Manta, U.S. service members and medical professionals will work alongside partner nations - Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Peru - and Ecuador medical professionals to provide much-needed medical assistance in communities with urgent health care needs, including local populations and vulnerable Venezuelans who have fled to other countries in the region. “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,” said Capt. Brian J. Diebold, Commander of Task Force 49. Comfort’s team is made up of military – primarily from East and Gulf coasts’ medical facilities - and civilian personnel to create a dynamic team capable of delivering a variety of services during this mission stop. This marks the seventh hospital ship deployment to the region since 2007. The embarked medical teams will provide care on board Comfort and at two land-based medical sites partly strained by an increase in Venezuelan migrants. (Source: USNS Comfort 06/27/19)