By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kelly E. Barnes

USNS Comfort Public Affairs

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago (NNS) -- After seeing more than 76,000 patients and serving in excess of 295,000 needs in nine of 12 countries, hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) arrived in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Sept. 16 to continue its four-month humanitarian assistance mission.

While in Trinidad and Tobago, U.S. Navy, Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, U.S. Public Health Service, Canadian Forces and non-governmental organization Project Hope will continue providing the people of Latin America and the Caribbean with health care services, including adult and pediatric primary care, dental care, optometry, and other services.

Comfort will remain in Trinidad and Tobago for nearly a week conducting operations at various locations, including Arima Health Facility, Eric Williams Medical Science Complex and Moulton Hall Methodist Elementary School.

Project Handclasp, a nonprofit organization that works in partnership with the U.S. Navy, will donate three hospital beds, medical supplies, handmade quilts, hospital furniture, teddy bears, and children’s and infant clothing.

Capt. Bob Kapcio, Comfort’s mission commander, recognizes the importance of Comfort’s mission to the country and the lasting effects the ship and crew’s presence will have to the people and the sites they’re changing and repairing.

“Being in Trinidad and Tobago and providing the assistance we’re offering really demonstrates the partnership between the people of our countries,” Kapcio said. “Without the cooperation and assistance of the government here, this mission could never happen.”

Comfort is on a four-month humanitarian deployment to Latin America and the Caribbean providing medical assistance to patients in a dozen countries. The deployment is in support of the U.S. Southern Command’s Partnership for the Americas initiative, strengthening the ties between the United States and partner nations.

For more news from USNS Comfort, visit www.news.navy.mil/local/tah20/.