October 10, 2023 (Oranjestad, Aruba) – Xavier University School of Medicine Aruba announced that they have partnered with the Aruba Government and the United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM) to open a free health clinic for migrants in Aruba.

“We are thrilled to partner with our friends in the Aruba government and the United Nations International Organization for Migration,” said Xavier University School of Medicine President Ravi Bhooplapur. “Our efforts will help promote public health on the island, assist people with the very important need for healthcare, and provide our students with additional hands-on training as they continue their medical school journey to become great doctors.”

This free health clinic will support refugees and migrants in Aruba, providing basic health checkups by a local doctor and Xavier University School of Medicine students. The clinic will be open two days per week, every Tuesday and Thursday from 4pm to 8pm. Xavier students will be working alongside doctors to evaluate patients and receive significant hands-on training during their time in Basic Science.

“This health clinic is designed primarily to the most vulnerable people of our community in Aruba. This new facility embodies the spirit of compassion, compassion, and above all, collaboration,” said S. Alena Samanez Pacheco, Project Coordinator Aruba for the International Organization for Migration. “The benefits of the clinic will not only be to people that receive care, but also to the state of public health in Aruba. We would like to profess our profound gratitude to the government of Aruba for their continuous support of our programming. Similarly, we’re very grateful to Xavier University for supporting this clinic“