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	Comfort Begins Medical Services in Costa Rica Following Opening Ceremony
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        <h1 class="title">Comfort Begins Medical Services in Costa Rica Following Opening Ceremony</h1>
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            <div class="image-caption">190721-N-IA905-1245 PUNTARENAS, Costa Rica (July 21, 2019) A U.S. Army UH-60L Blackhawk transfers supplies from the hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) to temporary medical sites. 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 strained by an increase in Venezuelan migrants. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Morgan K. Nall)</div>
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            <div class="image-caption">190721-N-IA905-1115 PUNTARENAS, Costa Rica (July 21, 2019) Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter) 2nd Class Bruno Ferreria, from Orlando, Fla., flies in an MH-60S Seahawk assigned to the “Dragon Whales” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28, as they transfer supplies from the hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) to temporary medical treatment sites. 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 strained by an increase in Venezuelan migrants. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Morgan K. Nall)</div>
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            <div class="image-caption">190723-N-XL376-1082 PUNTARENAS, Costa Rica (July 23, 2019) Lt. Cmdr. Jaime Wong-Lopez from Sacramento, Calif., assigned to the hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) examines a patient at a temporary medical site. 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 strained by an increase in Venezuelan migrants. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Maria G. Llanos)</div>
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            <div class="image-caption">190723-N-MX527-1083 Puntarenas, COSTA RICA (July 23, 2019) Lt. j.g. Christianne Villanueva, a Navy nurse, assigned to hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), helps paint a community pool while the ship is in port for a medical mission. 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 strained by an increase in Venezuelan migrants. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brendan Fitzgerald)</div>
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            <div class="image-caption">190723-N-FO574-1011 PUNTARENAS, Costa Rica (July 23, 2019) Lt. Cmdr. Jamie Fitch, a Navy doctor, performs a laparoscopic surgery aboard hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20). 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 strained by an increase in Venezuelan migrants. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jordan R. Bair)</div>
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            <div class="image-caption">190723-N-BV658-2064 PUNTARENAS, Costa Rica (July 23, 2019) Lt. Genevieve Barrett, a Navy nurse, left, and Hospitalman Apprentice Jennifer Fekos, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, assigned to the hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), weigh a patient at a temporary medical treatment site. 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 strained by an increase in Venezuelan migrants. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kryzentia Richards)</div>
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            <div class="image-caption">190723-N-BV658-2011 PUNTARENAS, Costa Rica (July 23, 2019)  Hospitalman Danielle Duque, left, from Los Angeles, assigned to the hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), screens a patient at a temporary medical treatment site. 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 strained by an increase in Venezuelan migrants. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kryzentia Richards)</div>
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    <div><b>By USNS Comfort Public Affairs</b> <span class="date">/ Published July 25, 2019</span></div>
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    <p>PUNTARENAS, Costa Rica (NNS) -- Senior leadership from the hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) alongside host, U.S. diplomatic and partner nation representatives attended an opening ceremony to mark the beginning of the ship’s medical mission stop in Puntarenas, Costa Rica, July 23. </p>

<p>The purpose of this mission is for U.S. service members and medical professionals to work alongside partner and host nation medical specialists to provide medical assistance and help relieve pressure on health systems strained by the Venezuelan migration crisis.</p>

<p>“The Comfort isn’t just a symbol of American goodwill, it’s a symbol of goodwill of the Americas – neighbors helping neighbors,” said Capt. Brian J. Diebold, commander, Task Force 49. “In the next week, this team of professionals from Peru, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica and the United States will help many thousands of people, and we are all excited to make new friends.”</p>

<p>Comfort’s team consists of more than 900 personnel, including military, non-governmental organization volunteers and members from partner nations, who began screening surgical patients July 9. This ceremony signifies that medical sites are fully operational and will treat hundreds of patients during its mission.</p>

<p>“We are proud to work with Ambassador Faria and Costa Rica to provide Comfort medical services to Venezuelans, as well as Nicaraguans, Costa Ricans and others in need,” said U.S. Embassy San Jose Chargé d’Affaires Gloria Berbena.  </p>

<p>This marks the second visit Comfort has made to Puntarenas. During Continuing Promise 2011, embarked medical teams treated more than 7,000 patients aboard Comfort and at several medical sites in the vicinity of Puntarenas. </p>

<p>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. It is also an invaluable opportunity to learn from other partner nations.</p>

<p>For more information, visit www.facebook.com/NAVSOUS4THFLT, www.dvidshub.net/feature/comfort2019, and www.navy.mil.</p>

<p>Get more information about the Navy from US Navy facebook or twitter.</p>

<p>For more news from Navy Public Affairs Support Element, visit www.navy.mil/local/npasehq/.</p>
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