On February 3, 2021, the María Auxiliadora Health Center (CASMA) was inaugurated. The facility is located in the Simón Bolívar urbanization near the Beata Virgen María Auxiliadora Friary in Barinas, Venezuela.
The project was carried out by the Provincial Custody of Our Lady of Coromoto in Venezuela and was made possible by contributions from various international charitable associations, namely: Missionszentrale der Franziskaner; the Franciscan Missionary Center of the Friars Minor Conventual; Kirche in not, along with support from the Province of St. Nicholas and St. Angelo in Italy (Puglia).
The idea for the project began while Friar José Luis AVENDAÑO MONSALVE was in charge of the María Auxiliadora Parish Church in Barinas (2011-2015).; He stayed on until July 27, 2019, when Dr. Luisana ROJAS began offering her services as a specialist (gynecologist-obstetrician) in one of the parish halls, with the permission of the Pastor, Friar Deiby A. VERGARA PALENCIA. In the months to come, other medical specialists joined this noble work, along with professionals from the nursing sector. Currently, the Health Center has seventeen medical specialists, four nurses and a psychologist. They offer services once a week, from Monday to Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
It should be stressed that CASMA was constituted as a civil association, whose legal representative was the Custody of Venezuela, under the name of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual of Venezuela. The CASMA board members are: Dr. Luisana ROJAS (President), Nancy MENDOZA (Vice President), Ángel SALINAS (Secretary), Friar Franklin DURÁN ZAMBRANO (Treasurer) and Friar Deiby (Administrator).
The Center’s goal is to promote and ensure the physical and mental health of members of the community by providing affordable healthcare, medical-outpatient services and minor surgical care. CASMA also organizes days for specialized medical care and preventive healthcare for those with the most particular needs.
A Mass was celebrated for the inauguration of the Center, presided over by Friar José Luis. The Provincial Custos, Friar Franklin DURÁN ZAMBRANO, expressed his gratitude to the benefactors and encouraged those present to continue this wonderful work for the benefit of people in need and the entire parish community.
Friar Juan Gregorio MARTÍNEZ CANELÓN, Custodial Secretary
