Continuous blockade and latest military strikes by the United States have intensified pressure on the Venezuelan medical system, resulting in a shortage of medical supplies and restricted access to medical services for patients.
Venezuela is highly dependent on imports for medical supplies. The U.S.' continuous blockade has cut off some medical supplies to the country.
Click to Gallery
US strikes intensify pressure on Venezuelan medical system
US strikes intensify pressure on Venezuelan medical system
US strikes intensify pressure on Venezuelan medical system
US strikes intensify pressure on Venezuelan medical system
And the U.S. military attacks on Venezuela on Saturday have added uncertainty to the current situation. Many patients outside the Venezuelan capital Caracas are the most affected.
Isabel Iturria, president of the Latin American Cardiological Children's Hospital, a leading specialized facility dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular conditions in children, said that many kids living in inland or remote areas are unable to reach the hospital in time for treatment.
"Patients from remote areas simply couldn't make it. Only one of the eight scheduled patients arrived today, and two of the eleven who had appointments showed up yesterday. Now we still have to wait and see for the coming days," said Iturria.
As the only medical institution in Venezuela capable of performing all pediatric surgeries, this hospital is the last hope for many local children. Iturria said that a significant amount of medical supplies stored in the warehouse was destroyed by the U.S., exacerbating the hospital's long-standing shortage of supplies.
"We have been experiencing blockade since 2013, which went worse dramatically to an extreme extent at the end of last November, significantly depleting our inventory of medical supplies. Under this disgraceful, absurd, and criminal blockade, the U.S. launched further attacks on Venezuela, including bombing warehouses storing medical supplies. This has severely affected the availability of dialysis supplies, which were originally housed in warehouses at the Port of La Guaira," said Iturria.
Iturria stated that if stability cannot be restored promptly, the local medical system will face increasing pressure in the coming months.
"Currently, the hospital's material reserves are likely to sustain our operation for about one month or a little longer. The medical devices, surgical materials, and drugs for pediatric heart surgeries are highly specialized. Very few specialized medical and surgical equipment is produced in our country. If we cannot import them from abroad, we will face a serious medical crisis in two or three months," she said.
US strikes intensify pressure on Venezuelan medical system
US strikes intensify pressure on Venezuelan medical system
US strikes intensify pressure on Venezuelan medical system
US strikes intensify pressure on Venezuelan medical system
