Embassy Events 2010
Dr. Casto Navía, representative of SEDES La Paz and U.S. Embassy Milgroup Commander Col. Gary Garay lay the cornerstone symbolizing the beginning of construction works. (State Department)
Representatives of the Department of La Paz and its Health Regional Office (SEDES, in Spanish), the Bolivian Ministry of Health, the La Paz Medical Association, the Embassy of the United States and Fund Accion NGO laid the cornerstone of the future Burn Center in Villa Copacabana on June 18.
This particular project is part of the Humanitarian Assistance program of the U.S. Military Group in Bolivia and originated five years ago, at the request of healthcare authorities of the Prefecture of La Paz and Fund Accion NGO.
From 2004 to 2007, this foundation, dedicated to the prevention, care, rehabilitation, and research of burns and congenital and acquired deformities, provided free medical attention to burn patients and to individuals with spinal cord injuries and cleft lip, in coordination with doctors from Shriners Hospitals for Children of the United States. The U.S. Embassy's Military Group used to bring doctors from the United States at no cost, but due to the increasing frequency and severity of cases throughout the country, in 2005 Fund Accion requested the construction of a Burn Center from the La Paz Prefect's Office and the U.S. Government. In 2007, the La Paz Prefect's Office provided the land and the U.S. government approved the construction project. On May 7, 2010, Juan Carlos Vaca Construction Company won a bid to build the center, whose cost is estimated at $250,000 for the initial stage.
The Burn Center, which will benefit low-income patients of La Paz and El Alto, will have a reception area, waiting room, doctors' offices, pharmacy, equipment room, other offices, as well as a meeting room.
Over the past five years, the U.S. Military Group has provided over $2.2 million in humanitarian projects throughout Bolivia, including renovations of emergency rooms in clinics, construction of water wells, water systems, and construction of water tanks in rural areas. The Military Group is currently funding humanitarian assistance projects for an additional $1.4 million. These efforts include the design and construction of schools, a clinic, and a community center.