Secretary of Health Meets With Beneficiaries of USS Boxer Visit
June 27, 2008

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Minister of Health Maza presents plaque to Secretary Leavitt.

During his visit to El Salvador, Secretary of Health Michael Leavitt visited Acajutla, a community that received assistance from the doctors and personnel aboard the USS Boxer in May.

On June 25, Secretary Leavitt met Salvadoran Health Minister Guillermo Maza at the Acajutla Health Clinic where they had the chance to talk to Salvadoran doctors who participated in the USS Boxer’s medical operations, hear from health personnel who received training and meet with patients who benefited from the humanitarian mission.

The USS Boxer is a Navy amphibious assault ship that traveled to El Salvador as part of mission Continuing Promise 2008, a collaborative effort between the United States and other governments to build partnerships that can be called upon in the event of a regional situation requiring cooperative solutions.  In El Salvador, the mission provided primary medical care to more than 11,000 citizens, repaired hospital equipment, performed construction work, trained hospital staff, and shared ideas and experiences on best practices for long-term public health solutions.