Teams left Manaus (AM), aboard the Hospital Assistance Ship “Soares de Meirelles”
By Second Lieutenant (RM2-T) Victor Cruz and Second Lieutenant (RM2-T) João Stilben – Agência Marinha de Notícias
This week, the Brazilian Navy (MB) began a series of medical, ophthalmological and dental care in five municipalities in the interior of Amazonas. The health teams left Manaus (AM), on March 16, aboard the Hospital Assistance Ship (NAsH) “Soares de Meirelles”, arriving in the municipality of Tonantins (AM) on Monday (25). On the first day alone, 676 dental procedures were carried out on the Ship and 90 dental kits were distributed, in addition to 11 mammography exams carried out on board.
According to Corvette Captain Wallace Felipe de Paiva Santos, Commander of the NAsH “Soares de Meirelles”, the project continues in the municipalities of Jutaí, Fonte Boa, Uarini and Alvarães, in the Alto and Médio Solimões region. “In this action, the Brazilian Navy provides logistical support in the transport of personnel, equipment and supplies. The project will carry out, over the course of six days, around 170 surgeries, in five different municipalities in the Western Amazon, so it is a great satisfaction to be able to support and bring health with dignity to all these people”, highlights Commander Wallace.
In addition to routine medical exams, the population will have access to surgeries to treat cataracts, a problem that affects eye health, through the Humanitarian Ophthalmology 2024 project, a partnership between MB, Sociedade Amigos da Marinha (SOAMAR) Manaus and the partner organizations. As part of the project, and in relation to the services on Monday (25), 38 cataract surgeries have also been carried out, and 396 glasses donated in the city.
The action also includes the participation of professionals from the Piedade Cohen Foundation, the Vision Institute, the Federal University of Amazonas, and the Federal University of São Paulo. A prior screening is carried out in the locations, to optimize the population’s service and define the priority audience for the procedures.
The ship’s Commander informs that, at all stops, the NAsH “Soares de Meirelles” health team will provide, in addition to medical, dental and ophthalmological care, services such as blood pressure measurement, blood glucose tests and prescriptions and deliveries of medicines. .
Ship of Hope
In regions that are difficult to access, many Brazilian families find themselves without medical, dental and hospital care. This is what happens in several parts of the Amazon and Pantanal, isolated from large urban centers, and only accessed by rivers or by air.
To mitigate this situation, since the end of the 1940s, the Navy has carried out the work of bringing healthcare to the most distant corners of the country, conducting Hospital Assistance Operations for the Riverine Population. For this role, the Navy ships that provide this service are also known as “Ships of Hope”, honoring the ship’s motto of bringing “Health wherever there is life!”.
The Hospital Assistance Ship “Soares de Meirelles” has medical and dental offices, a pharmacy, a vaccination room, an X-ray room, a surgical center, an infirmary and a clinical analysis laboratory. Its name is a tribute to the Chief Surgeon of the Navy and Patron of the Navy Health Corps.
Incorporated into the MB in 2010, “Soares de Meirelles” is part of the Amazonas Flotilla, subordinate to the Command of the 9th Naval District, based in Manaus.
Marine News Agency
