Sick people in parts of Africa and Asia are set to benefit from a donation of patient beds from Epsom and St Helier hospitals.
The beds, which were no longer needed by the hospitals and have been replaced with newer models, were recently presented to Aid to Hospitals Worldwide (A2HW) – a social enterprise that specialises in providing developing countries with free medical equipment.
A2HW will soon be taking the beds on the journey to their new homes, which include hospitals in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia and Pakistan.
Jane Ward, the trust’s head of facilities, who is responsible for buying and recycling the beds patients use, said: “We are absolutely delighted to make this donation, as we know there are many deserving people who will benefit from them.
“Although these beds were no use to us any more, it gives us great pleasure to be able to pass them to people who are in desperate need of very basic medical equipment.
“Knowing these beds will provide some comfort to some sick people in Somalia, Pakistan and Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as giving the doctors and nurses a vital piece of kit, is heart-warming.”
A2HW’s chief executive, Mike Coleman, added: “It’s hard to picture the comfort or measure the benefits that outdated and redundant medical equipment brings to patients in poorer countries.
“What we would discard as outdated has massive health implications for many millions without proper provision in the developing world. We thank Epsom and St Helier hospitals for their kind contribution.”
Article from Hardeep Matharu at yourlocalguardian
