Marines with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Southern Command and service members with Joint Task Force Bravo (JTF-Bravo) donated boxes of single-use medical and reusable masks, wheelchairs, and kits for expecting mothers to Hospital Salvador Paredes in Trujillo, Honduras, on September 16.
This joint service collaboration with the nongovernmental organization and local charity CEPUDO, provided medical supplies to help the people of Trujillo in their fight against COVID-19. Carlos Ramón Aguilar, governor of the department of Colón, and Héctor Mendoza, mayor of Trujillo, attended the donation ceremony.
“This donation was a collaborative effort between SPMAGTF-SC 20, U.S. Southern Command and a nongovernmental organization,” said U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Taylor Ngo, a civil affairs marine with SPMAGTF-SC 20. This donation not only will benefit patients, but will augment relief for hospital staff during a time when hospitals in this region are trying to keep pace with the influx of patients due to COVID-19.
“Our biggest benefactors of the donation are the patients from Hospital Salvador Paredes,” said U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Lazart Sekulits Rodriguez, psychological operations noncommissioned officer. “The wheelchairs are going to benefit those who are pregnant while here at the hospital and are going to help with transportation. The disposable masks are going to be utilized mainly by the patients who receive regular care. The reusable masks will be utilized by the hospital staff to keep themselves safe and they can keep fighting the fight against COVID-19.”
SPMAGTF-SC strives to continuously maintain the relationship between JTF-Bravo and its host nation of Honduras, while giving back to the community at every opportunity.
“On behalf of the United States, we thank Honduras and its people for their hospitality,” said Sgt. Ngo. “We have a long history of working with Honduras and look forward in continuing our work together through this pandemic and into the future.”