Brazil ships ton of medicines and supplies to Syria

The Brazilian government shipped to Syria 44 thousand medication units containing medication directed at those forced out of their homes or otherwise affected by the conflicts in the country. Also donated were healthcare kits and supplies, each of them capable of serving up to 500 people for three months, the Health Ministry reported.

The shipment, which weighs approximately one ton altogether, is being carried by the Fragata União da Marinha do Brasil, and has already set sail for Lebanon from Rio de Janeiro. The World Health Organization (WHO) will be responsible for taking the cargo from Lebanon to Syria.

Among the supplies donated are medicines used in the treatment of infectious diseases, like tuberculosis, as well as vaccines for the prevention of severe diseases, like pneumonia, meningitis, and rotavirus infection.

In a note, the ministry highlighted that the shipment of medication, vaccines and supplies is only authorized by the Brazilian government in cases where it does not impact the country's internal supply.

In 2014, Brazil sent 150 thousand medication units for the treatment cutaneous leishmaniasis, distributed in hospitals and healthcare stations in Hamah, Idleb, Aleppo, in rural Damascus, Dierzor, and Al-Hassaka.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira