In the metropolitan region, triage transfers to hospitals are carried out by 911 ambulances from the Permanent Contingency Commission (COPECO). According to the medical authorities in charge of the emergency, the ambulances cannot cope with the load. A transfer from the triage center to hospitals with 911 ambulances alone can take up to 12 hours.

Given this, MSF decided to support the care circuit, through an operations base at the University’s Sports Center, and 3 ambulances available. The objective is to reduce the waiting time for patients who travel from 6 triage centers to four hospitals and one stabilization centre.

In addition to providing ambulances, MSF provides psychological, educational and social assistance. Given the positive experience in 2020, 7 psychologists offer telephone assistance to hospitalized patients. At the community level, this project has 8 health promoters to carry out awareness-raising activities in high-prevalence areas. Telephone medical consultations are also made to positive patients for COVID-19 that are identified throughout the community and are at their homes. Likewise, MSF has 4 hygienists who contribute to the biosecurity of the entire project.