The US Navy deployed some of its best doctors and nurses on the USNS Comfort, and headed to Latin America to assist those that are in great need of medical care and attention. The USNS Comfort was in the area for four months, and administered some of the best care that many of those people have had throughout their entire lives. The ship, which was anchored in Suriname, delivered more than 1,000 surgeries during its stay there an unprecedented amount of surgeries for any hospital, let alone a Naval hospital.
The USNS Comfort was not the only place where assistance was received for the medical needs of those on board. There were also dentists that were available on the ship to meet the dental needs of the said patients. Medical personnel also traveled in the Suriname area so that they could tend to those that were too ill and frail to make it to the boat. The name of the large Navy ship could not be any more fitting, either. There was great comfort that was received by the patients from the doctors in attendance. There are stories of a young teenaged boy who had cataracts in his eyes, and after an eye operation, he was able to walk off of the boat with vision in both eyes. This type of work is rewarding to not only those who are in need, but also to all of the staff that are aboard the USNS Comfort.