MCMH receives $140,000 in medical equipment from Taiwan

A wide variety of medical equipment, valued over US$140,000, was donated to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital yesterday, by the Republic of China on Taiwan.{{more}}

This donation was made possible by Taiwan’s Global Medical Instrument Support and Service Program (GMISSP) and is the third donation of its kind to St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).

Ambassador of the Republic of China on Taiwan to SVG Weber Shih expressed delight in being a part of the occasion and pointed out that GMISSP is a programme designed to aid medical centres and hospitals, by providing essential medical equipment to countries in need.

“I want to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to the participating hospitals for once again joining the efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Health and the Republic of China on Taiwan to promote medical cooperation with this country,” Shih said.

Ninety-five pieces of medical equipment and instruments were donated to the hospital, including an Obstetric Diagnostic Table, a surgery table, patient beds and a mammography unit.

“I’m convinced [that] the donated items will further enhance the quality of medical care and benefits [to] patients in years to come,” the Ambassador declared.

“Ladies and gentlemen, a healthy country is a wealthy country”.

In his address, Clayton Burgin, Minister of Health, Wellness and the Environment, conveyed his appreciation to the Ambassador for his “unwavering and evidently herculean efforts which he continues to make to ensure that the bonds between our two countries continue to strengthen and grow…in the interest of national development”.

Burgin said the range of equipment will be used by teams of doctors and nurses and will have a significant impact of the quality of patient care and treatment.

“It must be undoubtedly accounted for because we know that health care is a costly exercise,” he said. “The choice of equipment is indeed appropriate and will meet our priority health needs”.

The minister called on members of staff of the Ministry of Health to understand and appreciate the gifts and highlighted that they must be used for the benefit of the clients, as well as cared for.

Geared toward improving the medical system in St Vincent and the Grenadines, exchanges between medical doctors of the two countries will be initiated.

In July, a medical team from Taiwan, consisting of four medical doctors and two nurses will make a visit to SVG. Additionally, it will be arranged for Vincentian medical doctors to attend a clinical programme in Taiwan, later this year.

Furthermore, Shih noted that EC$600,000 will be donated to SVG in this year, for the procurement of more medical equipment.(BK)