The Joint Campaign Partner – Fluvial Health, which began on July 3 in the town of Puerto Bermejo, culminated this Monday after touring for 2 weeks localities in the province of Chaco, providing medical and social assistance to populations with difficult access to health centers.
The Ministry of Defence, through the Ministry of Military Coordination in Emergencies, coordinated the assistance of the Armed Forces Health Component and an interdisciplinary team for Health and Social Development of the Nation, who worked together with local and provincial agencies in the province.
The campaign took place in the towns of Puerto Bermejo, Puerto Eva Perón, La Leonesa, General Vedia, El Espinillo, Juan José Castelli, Isla del Cerrito, Barrio San Pedro Pescador and Isla Soto; coastal sites of the northeastern Argentine located in proximity to the Paraná and Paraguay rivers.
The main objective was to provide clinical care and prevention of a clinical, dental, gynaecological, pediatric, ophthalmological and vaccination nature to the inhabitants of the localities who, due to their geographical location, have difficulties in accessing medical centers.
In addition, the updating and management of the National Identity Document was facilitated through the National Registry of Persons (RENAPER) and the Civil Registry of the province; the procedures of the National Social Security Administration (ANSES); the Comprehensive Medical Care Programme (PAMI) and health information through the area of Promotion and Prevention.
During the activities, there was logistical support from the ARA “King” patrol, the multipurpose ARA City of Zárate, and the patrol boat ARA – Rio Santiago, units of the Escuadrilla de Ríos, dependents of the Naval Fluvial Area and members of the Marine Infantry Battalion No. 3 – Admiral Eleazar Videla, responsible for operating the semirrigated boats for the transfer of equipment and personnel.
In this regard, Claudia Chiminelli, National Director of Municipal Policies for Emergency Prevention and Assistance in the Ministry of Military Coordination in Emergency, highlighted the effort, responsibility and commitment of the professionals of the ministries and the Armed Forces. Thank you, you took medical and social assistance to all planned localities, even to the Impenetrable where it is the first time we arrived. All were available and made it possible for this Partner Campaign, which became possible, he said.
He also thanked the Commander of the Rios Squadron, Captain of Fragata Pablo Páez and the Captain of Frigate Medical Brogata Ariel Salcedo in charge of the Military Health Component, for the support given throughout the campaign.
The most important thing about this deployment, in principle, is to have arrived with national public policies within our country, with responsible interdisciplinary work. This area that provides for the continuity of referrals and treatments in the various health centers, with the commitment of the municipalities and the province, said the National Director of Municipal Policies for Emergency Prevention and Assistance.
Claudia Chiminelli stressed: Getting to hard-to-reach communities was our goal, which was widely met. I would like to thank the local authorities and the logistics of the Forces, as it would have been impossible to access the different communities without this indispensable support. I would like to highlight the vocation and commitment of the entire inter-ministerial task force.
Do we take the embrace, human warmth and solidarity of the communities that welcomed us with their open arms. We can say with great satisfaction: – mission accomplished – the National Director of Municipal Policies for Emergency Prevention and Assistance concluded.
The Socio-Health Campaign concluded with the assistance of residents in Isla del Cerrito, Barrio San Pedro Pescador and Isla Soto, places located in the vicinity of the Paraná River.
In Isla del Cerrito the staff settled in buildings in the historic center, where one of the first leprosrians of the region previously functioned. During one day, local coasters and nearby sites were received.
Agustina and Ramón, 67, arrived in a van from Margarita Bethlehem, 30 kilometers from Isla del Cerrito. Both recalled the attention they received in previous campaigns on board the Argentine Navy ships. We always take turn for ophthalmology. Before the pandemic we consulted the ophthalmologist on the boat and I still have the lenses they gave me. The attention was always very good and hopefully it will be repeated every year, said Augustine.
In the Barrio San Pedro Pescador, the health team attended the School of Primary Education No. 159, where Mayor Sergio Phipps approached to greet and thank the professionals for their presence.
It’s a historic operation because it’s the first time they’ve been attending this place. For the neighbors of the coastal zone it is important to have these doctors at their disposal and to be able to carry out checks and consultations. It is a unique possibility and we are grateful to all the agencies present, said the communal chief.
The last destination of the Joint Partner Campaign and Fluvial Health was Isla Soto, a coastal site to which the naval units of the Rios Squadron and the personnel of the Marine Infantry Battalion No. 3 Admiral Eleazar Videla, who moved and deployed from the ships the tents that served as medical offices were transferred and deployed from the ships.
Gisela Sosa, a teacher at Elementary School No. 797 – Governor Rolando José Tauguinas, stressed the importance of the health operation and the care previously carried out in 2019. We have about 60 families and we missed the presence of doctors on our island. I wish they could come every year, because we find it difficult to transfer the neighbors, especially the children, to the health centers, he said.
Campaign in numbers
During the days of care, health professionals completed a total of 5,444 medical services and 1,651 social services, with medical clinic, ophthalmology and pediatrics being the most required specialties.
La Leonesa was the most medical-career town during the campaign, registering a total of 1,085 shifts over two days of care, 136 of which correspond to the medical clinical specialty.
Then, the health professionals who received the highest demand were dentistry in the town of Puerto Eva Perón with 69 attentions; pediatrics with 99 consultations and ophthalmology with 66 services, both in the area El Espinillo.