This morning, Foreign Office Vice Minister for the Americas Chris Bryant visited the Children's Cardiological Hospital in Caracas, an emblematic project of the Venezuelan health care system. There, he took close note of the hospital's modern facilities and the dedicated medical care and services it offers.

During his visit to this landmark hospital, Chris spoke with the authorities, doctors and patients regarding the important social programme developed by this modern medical centre. Since its inauguration in 2006, the Cardiological has performed more than 3,200 open-heart surgeries, 280,000 lab exams and 12,000 electrocardiograms. It was designed to serve patients with heart problems between the ages of 0 and 18 years from all over Latin America.

Chris drew on similarities between the British and the Venezuelan health care policies and advocated for sharing experiences and resources in this area.

During his visit at the hospital, he commented: "In the UK, we've had free health care services for the past 60 years and they are of high quality." Ambassador Catherine Royle, during her third visit to this medical centre, added: "I think in Venezuela they are trying to do something similar, offering citizens free high quality health care services, in top-of-the-line facilities.

Both the Vice Minister and the Ambassador expressed their admiration for the commendable effort that the Hospital carries out and re-affirmed their commitment for an exchange of valuable knowledge between the two countries.

For more information on the Children's Cardiological Hospital in Caracas, visit their website: www.cardiologicoinfantil.gob.ve

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