An official website of the United States government         Here's how you know         
**Official websites use .mil**
A **.mil** website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
**Secure .mil websites use HTTPS**
 A **lock (lock )** or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Skip to main content (Press Enter).

U.S. Southern Command

Search
Search

Search

-  Home		 
-  About    -  About Main             
  -  Area of Responsibility             
  -  Leadership             
  -  SOUTHCOM Components and Units             
  -  History             
  -  SOUTHCOM Inspector General 
-  Commander's Priorities    -  Commander's Priorities Main             
  -  Strengthen Partnerships      -  Theater Maintenance Partnership Initiative (TMPI) 
  -  Counter Threats             
  -  Build Our Team 
-  Media    -  Media Main             
  -  News             
  -  Press Releases             
  -  Photos             
  -  Videos             
  -  Speeches | Transcripts             
  -  Special Coverage             
  -  SOUTHCOM Podcast 
-  USAG-M / Military-Family Services    -  U.S. Army Garrison-Miami      -  Equal Employment Opportunity Office 
  -  Overview of Services at SOUTHCOM             
  -  About the SOUTHCOM Installation and Local Community             
  -  Miami Family and MWR      -  Army Community Services             
    -  Child, Youth and School Services             
    -  Leisure Travel Services             
    -  Fitness Center 
  -  Visiting SOUTHCOM             
  -  Army Health Clinic SOUTHCOM             
  -  Hurricane Preparedness Info             
  -  Conference Center of the Americas             
  -  Theater Clearance Info             
  -  SOUTHCOM Chaplain             
  -  TEAM SOUTHCOM - Total Engagement for All Members of U.S. Southern Command             
  -  Logistics Readiness Center-Miami             
  -  Public Notice – Environmental Assessment for the Construction of a Military Housing Development             
  -  SHARP (SAPR) 
-  Newcomers    -  Newcomers Main             
  -  Sponsor Request             
  -  Directions to SOUTHCOM             
  -  Army Newcomers             
  -  Navy Newcomers             
  -  Air Force Newcomers             
  -  Marine Corps Newcomers             
  -  Coast Guard Newcomers             
  -  Reserve Newcomers             
  -  Civilian Newcomers             
  -  Contractor Newcomers             
  -  Family Member Newcomers             
  -  Newcomers to Overseas Locations in SOUTHCOM 
-  Work With Us    -  Employment | Careers             
  -  Public / Private Cooperation             
  -  Operational Contract Support             
  -  SOUTHCOM Industry Engagement 
-  FOIA    -  FOIA Main             
  -  How to file A FOIA Request             
  -  FOIA Fees and Exemptions             
  -  Your FOIA Rights             
  -  ​FOIA Reading Room 
-  Contact    -  Contact SOUTHCOM             
  -  Community Requests             
  -  FAQ             
  -  Contact SOUTHCOM Inspector General             
  -  Directions to SOUTHCOM 

HomeMediaNews

PHOTO INFORMATION

** Download

** Details

** Share

PHOTO INFORMATION

** Download

** Details

** Share

PHOTO INFORMATION

** Download

** Details

** Share

PHOTO INFORMATION

** Download

** Details

** Share

# Comfort Starts Providing Medical Assistance in Panama Following Opening Ceremony

COLON, Panama (NNS) -- Host nation government officials, partner nation representatives and senior leadership from the hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) attended an opening ceremony to mark the beginning of the ship’s medical mission in Colon, Panama Aug. 7.

The purpose of the mission is for U.S. service members and medical professionals will 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.

The ceremony signifies that medical sites are fully operational and will treat hundreds of patients during its mission.

“Since Panama took its first steps as a republic, we’ve had the U.S. helping us in the health system,” said Republic of Panama Vice Minister of Health Luis Francisco Sucre. “What better way to strengthen the bonds between the people of the U.S. and the people of Panama by providing health care and good quality of attention to all of our population.”

The Comfort team consists of more than 900 personnel, including military, non-governmental organization volunteers and personnel from partner nations.

“As brother countries we reflect our alliances with Panama and Latin America,” said Capt. Matthew Turner, defense cooperation officer in Panama. “Panama is a key partner to take on regional issues. We are happy to take the challenges of health issues side by side.” This marks the fourth Comfort visit to Panama and the seventh to the region since 2007. The embarked medical teams will provide care aboard Comfort and at two land-based medical sites.

This mission stop is part of the 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.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/NAVSOUS4THFLT, www.dvidshub.net/feature/comfort2019, and www.navy.mil.

Get more information about the Navy from US Navy Facebook or twitter.

Get more information about the Navy from US Navy facebook or twitter.

For more news from Navy Public Affairs Support Element, visit www.navy.mil/local/npasehq/.

**                    SHARE                

**                    PRINT                

USNS Comfort 2019Panamahospital ship