Robinson Crusoe Island. “We achieved a total of 2,508 medical services, a record for us,” said the Director of Operations of the Acrux Foundation, Germán Toledo, after completing the operation carried out by 43 health volunteers together with the Chilean Navy in the General Rural Office (CGR) of Juan Fernández, held on April 25 and 26.
“It was tremendously successful; “We exceeded the goal we had planned,” commented the Acrux representative. This important figure, according to him, occurred after using a referral modality, so the same patient received more than one care. This generated a chain of consultations with specialists, which also meant complete coverage for the inhabitants of the commune.
Likewise, the health and administrative staff of the CGR of Juan Fernández supported the volunteers at all times, who, being local, know the neighbors and their needs. Along with this, they provided the facilities for naval and Acrux personnel, which guaranteed the continuity of services.
medical operation
In addition to transporting passengers, the “Achilles” also carried specialized technical equipment to provide care to the island community. The shipment consisted of ultrasound machines, X-ray systems, surgery materials and other essential elements with which the medical staff worked during the two days of the operation.
It should be noted that this Naval Unit remained on tour, that is, it did not remain docked at a dock, therefore, the cargo had to be lowered by the crew through cranes and, immediately, taken to the mainland by boats with the support of a Maritime Patrol Boat from the Port Captaincy of Juan Fernández.
Transport AP-41 “Achilles”, connecting island areas
For the Commander of the AP-41 “Achilles”, Captain Cyril Jackson, “it was a truly successful commission in three large areas: the first is related to the surveillance of the maritime spaces of the First Naval Zone. The second, focused on the Acrux operation with just over two thousand five hundred services, which is tremendously important for the area; and the third, the match between Santiago Wanderers and Juan Fernández, which materialized in the logistics carried out to materialize a match on the island itself,” he commented.
Asked about this, Commander Jackson assured that what was done in Robinson Crusoe by the Acrux Foundation “brought the medical team closer to the community, which is fundamental, and I think that was a success.”
In turn, the Second Commander of the “Aquiles”, Lieutenant Commander Roberto Gaete highlighted the naval presence on the island: “The crew is used to making this type of trips and the community of Juan Fernández always awaits us with open arms, So regardless of how many times we have been there, it is always a pleasure to support the citizens who live there,” he indicated.
Along these lines, the Mayor of Juan Fernández, Pablo Manríquez, highlighted the deployment carried out by the Navy together with the Acrux Foundation, which translated into a direct contribution to the community of Robinson Crusoe Island and inhabitants of Alejandro Selkirk Island, 90 miles from Juan Fernández.
It should be noted that part of the AP-41 “Aquiles” transport crew carried out a civic operation at the Juan Fernández school, supporting the educational community with the cleanliness and order of some sectors of the place. In addition, haircuts were made for the students of the establishment.
With this, the Chilean Navy reaffirms once again its commitment to connecting island areas. The transfer of passengers, cargo and help to the inhabitants is part of the tasks that the Institution has within its Mission Area around the Contribution to National Development and State Action.
