MedGlobal recently established a clinic in Cucuta, Colombia to serve Venezuelan migrants, in partnership with IPS Medcare Colombia S.A.S. To date, MedGlobal has seen over 3,500 patients at this clinic, the majority of which are women and children. In conjunction with Project Hope, MedGlobal also supports a maternal-child nutrition program in Venezuela.
According to the United Nations, 4 million Venezuelans have fled the country, making it the second-largest migration worldwide after Syria. Colombia currently hosts 1.4 million Venezuelan migrants and refugees. As the crisis in Venezuela continues, the UNHCR anticipates another 1 million refugees will leave the country, a majority of which will enter Colombia’s largest entry point in the border city of Cucuta in Norte Santander.
“Irrespective of how and when the current political situation resolves itself, we will be on the ground to serve the displaced and needy,” says Dr. John Kahler, MedGlobal Co-founder and Chairman.
As Colombia keeps its borders open and provides services to refugees, their systems are overburdened by the influx of migrants. There are an estimated 2,000 Venezuelans living with HIV in Colombia today, two-thirds of those under the age of 35. MedGlobal, in partnership with UIC, recently published a white paper calling for greater involvement of non-governmental organizations to address the HIV crisis among Venezuelan refugees living in Colombia.
*IPS: Institucion Prestadora de Servicio – Service Provider Institution