The Rotary Club of St. Vincent SOUTH has signed an agreement with Rotary MESA (Medical Equipment and Supplies Abroad Foundation Inc.) in Ohio, United States, to donate a 40-foot container of medical equipment and supplies.
These supplies are valued at over US$500,000 and were donated to the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines through the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment.
The equipment were handed over to Central Stores on April 29.
“The partnership with Rotary South, facilitated by Rotarian Andy Bone of MESA, was indeed timely in order to assist with medical equipment needed during this pandemic crisis,” the club said.
It further stated: “The medical supplies will fill a void for critical life-saving equipment, particularly during the most pervasive pandemic in recent history. The crisis has been further intensified by a disruption in the supply chain and a worldwide shortage of medical equipment and supplies.”
The items donated include one ventilator, 10 hospital beds and mattresses,IV poles and extensions, fold away beds, patient gurneys, disposable medical supplies, television, VCR equipment, and oxygen generator
The mandate of Rotary Internation is to provide humanitarian services, and to advance goodwill and peace around the world.
MESA’s mandate is to provide the needed technology and medical supplies where a need exists.
“Both organisations are pleased that the inaugural initiative was successful. They will continue to liaise with the Ministry of Health to assess the medical needs of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and provide the requisite equipment and supplies to bridge the gap going forward,” the club said.
It added: “Social development initiatives of this scale are made possible by the commitment, dedication and support of Rotarians and its benevolent supporters, who play a pivotal role in the success of fundraising projects.”