GEORGIA: United States launch 25 million dollar (US) medical assistance program in Georgia

Gudushauri National Medical Centre is one of the several hospitals in the ex-Soviet Georgia which received medical equipment medicines, and other supplies allocated by the US government's "Operation Provide Hope" (OPH) programme on Wednesday (September 19). Most of Georgia's hospitals and its health care system in general have been under pressure for many years, struggling to render necessary and adequate assistance to their patients since the country declared its independence as the Soviet Union crumbled in 1991. Gudushauri National Medical Centre is one of five hospitals and centres targeted by the 25 million US dollar programme. The staff of the clinic are delighted to receive the needed equipment and other supplies at no cost. "I have hardly ever seen a hospital which has all the equipment it needs," said Georgian doctor, Givi Maxaradze. "Especially when we are speaking about new technologies and modern equipment. These ventilators for example has always been a problem, we need them for new-borns, we just did not have them. And now we have received seven ventilators and if other hospitals will get them as well... what can I say... many lives will be saved," he added. The equipment is being distributed and installed by US military medical personnel, who will then provide the training needed to use it. "This centre is receiving 19 containers of medical equipment valued a a little over a three million dollars," said John B. Post, the programme's deputy director for humanitarian assistance In Europe and Asia. Altogether 65 shipping containers of medical equipment and supplies, such as operating room tables, ventilators, surgical instruments, X-rays, laboratories and a variety of drugs will be distributed in the target hospitals and medical centres. The project is expected to be completed by the end of October. MEDICAL AID

ITN Source | September 19, 2007

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