A new hospital is being built in Galapagos, in the town of
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal Island. This is the
capital town (not quite city!) of Galapagos, though smaller by far
than the main tourist town of Puerto Ayora, on Santa Cruz
island.
The US$8.1M investment will lead to a new and modern facility,
part of the government's plan to improve health services in the
islands. Last year, it spent US$5million on equipment and
personnel.
Of particular importance to tourists on ships in remote
locations, there is now a Navy operated Bell-430 helicopter that is
available for emergency evacuations, in operation since last
August. It has already carried out 48 missions (38
interisland emergency evacuations, 5 rescues at sea and the
transport of 5 medical teams to attend to emergencies in situ).
