U.S. Government Donates a Hospital in El Alto

Chargé d’Affaires Kris Urs and the U.S. Military Group Col. Gary Garay (center) listen to the representative of the healthcare authorities of El Alto.

Today, the Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy, Krishna Urs, accompanied by local Bolivian authorities, inaugurated a hospital specialized in mother-child healthcare in Villa Mercedario, El Alto. The hospital was donated by the U.S. Embassy Military Group and was built by the U.S. Corps of Engineers.  Other Embassy officials, including Col. Gary Garay, Commander of the U.S. Military Group in Bolivia, and Bolivian officials also attended the handover ceremony.

Authorities of the U.S. Embassy, its Military Group, of the Villa Mercedario neighborhood board, and El Alto healthcare service representatives uncover a commemorative plaque. The new hospital will serve over 5,000 residents in the district.

The hospital will serve over 5,000 residents in the El Alto districts of Villa Mercedario, San Felipe de Seque, and Sector Ocho.  This donation is part of the Humanitarian Assistance Program provided by the U.S. Government to Bolivia.  El Alto health authorities requested the construction of this hospital because Mercedario is rapidly growing as a result of increased numbers of rural immigrants.

The new hospital building, whose cost is estimated at $66,000, has two consulting rooms, two rooms for nurses, two recuperation rooms, two equipment storage rooms, two reception rooms, two rooms for administrative and archival purposes, and eight bathrooms.  The hospital was specifically designed to endure the severe cold weather of El

The Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy Kris Urs talks with El Alto health authorities during the inauguration of the new healthcare facilities.

Alto including special thick walls, double-glassed windows, and insulated ceilings.

During the past five years, the U.S. Military Group in Bolivia has spent $2.2 million in humanitarian assistance projects throughout Bolivia.  These projects include the renovation of hospitals, the perforation of water wells, and the construction of drinking water systems and tanks.  Currently, projects for an additional $1.4 million are under construction, including schools, another hospital, and a community center.