News

Ramsay donations to help developing nations

Oct 19, 2020

Some of the world’s poorest countries are set to receive much-needed hospital equipment from Strathfield Private Hospital thanks to Ramsay Health Care Australia’s ongoing partnership with the Rotary Club of Berrima District.

Under the partnership, which first started in 2010, Ramsay donates medical equipment and goods which are no longer needed in its hospitals to disadvantaged countries around the globe.

Ramsay Health Care Australia’s CEO, Carmel Monaghan, said she was proud to announce the donation of 70 electrocardiogram (ECG) machines to Rotary’s Medical Aid for Oceania and Worldwide (MAFO) project.

“ECG Machines are an important piece of equipment to monitor heart health and this initiative ensures the responsible and ethical donation of equipment and supplies to other communities around the world,” Ms Monaghan said.

“Our hospitals which have donated the machines are North Shore Private, Strathfield Private, St George Private, Kareena Private, Westmead Private, Wollongong Private, Port Macquarie Private and Sunshine Coast University Private.”

Berrima Rotary’s International Director Barry Barford said the equipment would be put to good use in several developing nations.

“These ECG machines will be going to Pacific Island nations like the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, as well as East Timor in South East Asia. There’s also a consignment going to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nepal and we’ve just had a request from a new customer in Afghanistan so it will be great to assist that nation as well because that’s a new area for us,” Mr Barford said.

“In developing countries, they really do rely on donated equipment like this. They have very poor infrastructure and very limited budgets. We can always rely on Ramsay Health Care to supply equipment that is first class and in good working order which is so important.”

Ramsay Health Care’s partnership with the Rotary Club of Berrima District started in December 2010 with the donation of hospital beds, consumables and other essential items to hospitals in Fiji.

Since then, Ramsay donations have included wheelchairs, theatre lights and tables, hospital furniture, anaesthetic machines, ultrasound & x-ray machines, blood pressure monitors, sterilisers and consumables.

Ramsay also provides $10,000 each year to supplement funds raised by Rotary Berrima to meet overseas transport costs.