Tamale, April 5, GNA- The Rotary club of Tamale in partnership with some international Rotaries have supported the Tamale Teaching Hospital with essential medical equipment and other supplies valued at about GH¢1 million to ensure improved healthcare delivery. The donation, which came in two 40-footer containers are made up of 40 per cent equipment and 60 per cent consumables scanners, operating microscopes, X-ray machines, Incubators, Keratometer for eye operations, Electrocardiogram machine, dental chair and accessories, hospital beds, trolleys and wheel chairs. Rotary clubs in United States of America, Canada and the United Kingdom (UK) had supported the Tamale Rotary club through fund raising, which made possible to acquire such essential medical equipment in such a quantum for the hospital, the highest donation in the history of the hospital.

Mr. Joseph Mumuni, President of the Rotary club of Tamale said the Tamale club, over the past six years spent close to three million US dollars in the provision of potable drinking water for rural communities and health institutions. He said, the water projects cut across the Upper East, Upper West and the Brong Ahafo Regions, which had contributed immensely in the near eradication of guinea worm in those places. Mr. Mumuni mentioned the contribution of Rotary International towards Polio Immunization globally and expressed the hope that the health sector would improve since Rotary had joined to help improve the sector.

Mr. Mumuni gave the assurance that the Rotary Club would continue to support the health sector, provided the donation to the Tamale Teaching Hospital was put good use to help give relief to the suffering patients in the three Northern regions go through. "Now that rotary is a partner in the health delivery services of the Tamale Teaching Hospital, we shall continue to monitor their activities and to support or advice where necessary," he said. Dr Ken Sagoe, Chief Executive of Officer of the Tamale Teaching Hospital said, the hospital was in the process of coming out of its myriad problems since many organizations had resorted to supporting the hospital.

He commended the Tamale Rotary for the needed assistance and gave the assurance that the equipment would be put to proper good use to achieve the purpose at which they were donated to the hospital. Mr. Moses Mabengba, Deputy Northern Region Minister said the gesture demonstrated that people had the interest of the hospital at heart despite its myriad problems and called for collaborated efforts between hospital management and corporate bodies to raise the image of the hospital.

He said government would as a matter of urgency release funds for the rapid rehabilitation of the hospital and assured the Northern Regional Coordinating Council's preparedness to help the hospital to realize its dreams.

Reverend Walter Hughes, contact person for the Tamale rotary club in USA who coordinated for purchase of the equipment expressed gratitude for the dedication and commitment to work exhibited by management and staff of the Tamale Teaching Hospital and pledged to use his influence to seek more support for the hospital. The Dagbon Maligu Youth Association of Modena in Italy had also donated an ambulance and 40 hospital beds to the Tamale Teaching Hospital while The Jacobs Well Appeal also donated a 40-foot container full of hospital equipment valued at 80 thousand pounds sterling was also presented to the management of the hospital at the same function. 05 April 09