GozoNews.Com

The Friends of the Sick and The Elderly in Gozo have presented the Gozo General Hospital Administration with four new items of physiotherapy equipment, a vital-signs monitor for the female ward and a pulse oximeter for the paediatric ward, as well as a portable ultra-sound machine for the obstetric ward, to further enhance the services being offered at this hospital.

The members of this philanthropic group, which was established in 1988, have continuously endeavoured to be supportive to the health and geriatric sectors on the island, in a generous and positive approach towards the Gozo General Hospital, the Residenza Sant’Anna and the community in general.

This equipment was officially donated yesterday by Dr John B Pace, MD FRCS, President of the Friends of the Sick and Elderly in Gozo, to the Hon. Giovanna Debono, Minister for Gozo, at the Gozo General Hospital. Dr Pace expressed his society’s satisfaction at reaching yet another target in supporting the health sector on Gozo.

The Hon Giovanna Debono, Minister for Gozo, said that the Ministry for Gozo appreciates initiatives taken by non-Government charitable organisations such as the one taken recently by The Friends of the Sick and Elderly in Gozo. ‘Such sense of philanthropy’ said Minister Debono ‘closes the perceived gap between state and citizen in one close collaboration where all stand to benefit’.

Minister Debono said that the health sector remains a priority for the Ministry for Gozo and since 2000, Government invested around Lm2m in capital expenditure for improvements in the various departments at the Gozo General Hospital. Priority was given to patient-areas, such as the upgrading and modernisation of the Male and Female Wards, Male Elderly Ward, Residenza Sant’Anna, the Maternity Ward, the Paediatrics’ Ward, the Emergency Department and the Out Patients Department, while new sections were set up to improve the quality of service offered by the Hospital. Staff areas were also modernised including the recently inaugurated staff dining area, while this week the hospital incinerator was closed and dismantled.

The Ministry for Gozo recently finalised the necessary preparatory work in connection with the upgrading of the second Operating Theatre and the setting up of a new Radiology Unit including the procurement of equipment for these two sections. This major project has been submitted for co-financing under the European Union’s Structural Funds programme for 2007-2013.