June 14, 2006
Mission miracle will heal six million Latin Americans

(Presidential Press Office) - "This humanitarian and solidarity network will support patients suffering from eye diseases. The goal is to incorporate the beneficiaries as active volunteers nation- and worldwide.

The president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , Hugo Chávez, called on Venezuelan medical doctors working in the private sector to incorporate into Mission Miracle. He gave a speech to the members of the Popular and Humanitarian Network 'Miracle Missionaries' during an event held at the Teresa Carreño Theater in Caracas.

The Popular and Humanitarian Network 'Miracle Missionaries' has been created in order to fulfill the dream of thousands Venezuelans and Latin Americans suffering from eye diseases and that can not afford operations.

So far, Mission Miracle has performed eye operations on 194,343 Venezuelan patients in Cuba, and 15,000 in Venezuela, including 5,000 patients from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Peru, Dominican Republic and Uruguay.

President Chávez pointed out that they could exceed the goal of 6 million Latin American and Caribbean patients to undergo eye operations within 10 years according to the mission's current work pace.

The Venezuelan president explained the new stage of Mission Miracle, which consists in the installation of optician's in several Latin American countries in order to extend the field of action with the participation of medical doctors.

'I doubt that there has been a humanitarian operation of this magnitude throughout all universal history,' expressed Chávez.

He thanked the hospital network and the staff of Conviasa and Cubana de Aviación airlines for their participation in this health project. He also regarded the Venezuela-Cuba airlift as a bridge for life.

'While the United States establishes air bridges for war and death, we throw bridges for life. This is one of the greatest differences between capitalism and socialism,' highlighted the Venezuelan Head of State.

On the other hand, President Chávez called on all eye specialists working in the private sector and that want to participate in Mission Miracle. 'We need you all, nobody is unnecessary,' said the Venezuelan president.

The event was also attended by Argentinean, Costa Rican, Cuban, Ecuadorian and Paraguayan diplomats accredited in Venezuela".