To improve the quality of health services, especially transfer to medical appointments, to residents of the island municipality of Vieques, spokesman for the New Progressive Party delegation to the House of Representatives, Carlos “Johnny” Méndez Núñez, said. met with staff from the Ministry of Health and the Soy Vieques Foundation to outline the parameters of a maritime and air patient transport program.
“Viequenses deserve a first-class medical service, including a modern and permanent medical hospital in Vieques and a program to transport patients to medical appointments outside the said island municipality. To achieve this goal, we need to explore new alternatives that allow us to implement an optimal service that picks up the patient from home, takes him to the pier or airport – depending on the circumstances – and then transports him from Ceiba to the medical office and then back home, ‘said the former chairman of the House of Representatives.
“According to the data provided, there are currently about 70 patients on Vieques who have to attend their recurring conditions regularly with specialists outside the island. Every week, about 27 go to the so-called Big Island to visit health clinics, hospitals, or attend a medical appointment. Most are elderly people who find it difficult to use current systems without the necessary assistance. Therefore, we need to find ways to facilitate their services and it is important to establish a coordinated transport system for these types of activities, ”added Méndez Núñez, who is also District # 36 of Río Grande, Luquillo, Fajardo, Ceiba, Vieques. and represents Culebra. .
During the conclave, held yesterday, Monday, members of the Soy Vieques Foundation detailed the details of a transportation plan for Vieques patients, including picking up the person from their home and transferring them to the dock in Isabel II to take a pre-booked seat. In the ships of the Maritime Transport Authority (ATM), which was gathered at the new ATM terminal in the old Roosevelt Roads Naval Base in Ceiba Municipality for transfer to the place of employment and for their return.
If there is a situation with the ATM, partly due to bad weather, the patient will be transferred by an airline from the Antonio Rivera Rodríguez de Vieques regional airport.
“This is a concept that needs to be evaluated very carefully as it would be very productive for Viequenses. We will continue to study ideas and concepts that directly improve the quality of life of Viequenses, as well as Culebrenses, ”concluded Méndez Núñez.