Brazil will send 100 tons of medicines to Venezuela after destruction of distribution center

‘Countries are mobilized to help Venezuela’, says Minister of Health Brazil will send 100 tons of medicines and health supplies to Venezuela after the destruction of the neighboring country’s main medicine distribution center in a military attack last weekend. The offensive, led by United States forces, also resulted in the kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cília Flores. The attack hit logistics facilities in Caracas and damaged the country’s largest medicine warehouse, compromising the supply of essential treatments — especially for patients who depend on hemodialysis. Faced with this scenario, the Ministry of Health decided to bring forward humanitarian aid. The first shipment, with around 40 tons, is scheduled to be sent this Friday (9), focusing on serving around 16 thousand Venezuelan patients who were left without assistance after the destruction of the health structure. According to the Ministry of Health, the shipment aims to guarantee the continuity of treatment for around 16 thousand Venezuelan patients who depend on hemodialysis. Interrupting the supply of these inputs, according to the ministry, represents an immediate risk to the lives of these people. Vehicle destroyed in US attacks in Venezuela Reuters Among the materials that must be sent are medications for continuous use, filters, arterial and venous lines, catheters and solutions used in dialysis procedures. The inputs were obtained from donations from Brazilian university hospitals and philanthropic institutions, according to the government. The Minister of Health, Alexandre Padilha, stated that the donation does not compromise the care of Brazilian patients undergoing dialysis through the Unified Health System (SUS), estimated at around 170 thousand. According to him, national stocks allow the material to be sent without impacting internal assistance. Donations are stored at the Ministry of Health’s logistics center, in Guarulhos, Greater São Paulo. Shipments are expected to take place over the next week, depending on the transport and reception logistics in the neighboring country. The first load will be transported on a Venezuelan plane. This Thursday (8), Padilha sent a letter to the Venezuelan Minister of Health, Magaly Gutiérrez, expressing support for maintaining assistance to the population affected by the destruction of the medicine distribution center. Anti-aircraft unit destroyed at La Carlota military air base after US attack in Venezuela. REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria Assistance at the border In addition to sending inputs, the Brazilian government reported that it is monitoring the health situation in the border region between the two countries. Currently, health professionals work in Pacaraima, in the north of Roraima, caring for Venezuelan migrants, mainly in reception spaces. According to the Ministry of Health, so far there has been no need to expand the teams operating in Boa Vista, the state capital. A new technical team was sent to the region this week to assess the scenario and support local authorities. The federal government also authorized the sending of the National Public Security Force to Pacaraima and Boa Vista, with operations scheduled for 90 days, aimed at preserving public order and protecting people and structures in the region.

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