Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil on Saturday visited the field hospital established by India under Operation Amistad, praising the medical assistance being provided to earthquake-affected people and
expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for India’s support.
Accompanied by India’s Ambassador to Venezuela, PK Ashok Babu, Gil described the facility as a symbol of solidarity between the two countries.
“We want to inform you that we have toured this field hospital. A field hospital that has been set up by the Government of India, a friendly government, a brotherly government. Ashok Babu, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary, is with us here from India in Venezuela, the commander who has been in charge of operations here, the colleague Julio Leon, who is the director of the National Hippodrome Institute, President of the National Hippodrome Institute, facilities that are providing services for the installation of this hospital,” he said.
Highlighting the scale of medical assistance being provided, Gil said the hospital has been treating nearly 400 people every day and offering a range of healthcare services.
“We have seen that 400 people a day are being assisted in various matters. We’re going to see in the videos people who have been beaten, fractured, hematoma, during earthquakes. We have seen people who are also getting dental care, an X-ray unit, and minor surgery. We have even seen attention given to rescuers who have been injured during Venezuelan rescue operations, who were carrying out rescue operations at the time and who had injuries while rescuing their compatriots. In other words, we want comprehensive care, ambassador,” he said.
Gil also linked India’s humanitarian assistance to the recent engagement between the two countries following Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodriguez’s visit to India.
“I would like to thank the government of India and its Prime Minister Modi. We recently visited India, and here’s a sample of brotherhood. This is the brotherhood of peoples, serving the Venezuelan people, accompanying us in this moment of grief. I repeat, more than 400 people are treated daily at this field hospital, primarily people who have been affected during the seismic events of June 24,” he said.
Expressing appreciation on behalf of Venezuela, Gil thanked the Indian government and the medical teams working at the field hospital.
“We have no words to thank you, ambassador, so, well, please forward to the Government of India, part of the Acting President Delcy Rodriguez, all our love, all our dedication, Commander, to the Armed Forces personnel, From India, who are here, doctors, nurses, paramedics, who have been working tirelessly 24 hours a day daily at this hospital, thanks to the National Hippodrome Institute, who has also been providing all the logistical support for the installation,” he said.
Gil also assured citizens that the Venezuelan government was leading the response efforts.
“And well, the people of Venezuela united, Venezuela is not alone, with President Delcy at the helm coordinating all these operations, the Bolivarian government, and well, thank you again,” he said.
Meanwhile, World Health Organisation Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said last week’s earthquake had claimed more than 2,300 lives, injured over 5,000 people and left nearly 16,000 homeless.
In a post on X, he said, “Last week’s earthquake in Venezuela has left more than 2300 people dead, over 5000 injured and nearly 16,000 homeless. As search and rescue operations transition to recovery, the death toll is expected to rise. WHO is coordinating Emergency Medical Teams on the ground to provide trauma care and support the national health system in maintaining essential health services.”
“We have delivered more than six metric tons of emergency medical supplies, with another 28 metric tons on the way. We have also released $1.5 million from the Contingency Fund for Emergencies. This disaster compounds an already severe humanitarian crisis, placing even greater strain on the health system,” he added.
