Detroit hospital donates surplus equipment to Lviv (01/07/96)

Detroit hospital donates surplus equipment to Lviv

DETROIT - Henry Ford Health System has donated more than $500,000 worth of surplus medical equipment to the Regional Clinical Hospital in Lviv where there is a shortage of modern equipment and supplies.

The donation was part of a larger shipment of supplies and medical equipment donated by a variety of organizations, with a fair market value of $1,048,800, and shipped by Detroit-based World Medical Relief Inc. The organization collects medical supplies, equipment and pharmaceuticals, and provides them to the needy, both locally and abroad.

Henry Ford Health System's contribution is part of its ongoing partnership with the Regional Clinical Hospital that began in 1993. The program is federally funded through the U.S. Agency for International Development and coordinated by the American International Health Alliance.

"This is the third shipment of supplies we've sent to Ukraine," said Alan Case, assistant vice-president, network hospital relations, Henry Ford Health System. "But we're especially excited this time because we were able to obtain and ship an infant transporter to the region," he added.

"Premature babies born in outlying hospitals have been transported in people's arms to the central nursery, and many have died from cold and lack of oxygen," said Mr. Case. "Now, these babies will be better able to survive the trip."

Henry Ford Health System sends not only medical equipment, supplies and medicine to Ukraine, but medical specialists who train local physicians and medical staff on the newest technology and special medical techniques.

This type of exchange has enabled health care workers from Henry Ford Health System to help not only the people in the city of Lviv but those throughout much of western Ukraine, because the Regional Clinical Hospital is the referral center for all hospitals in the region.

The shipment could not have been made without the assistance of Rotary District 6400, which consists of 49 Rotary Clubs from communities surrounding Detroit.

"Three rotary clubs - the Southgate Rotary Club, the Grosse Pointe Sunrise Club and the Windsor St. Claire Rotary Club - donated $500 each to pay for the cleaning, packaging and loading of the equipment and supplies," said Richard D. Wittrup, corporate vice-president, Henry Ford Health System. "And District 6400 was kind enough to match their donations to assist with the fees."

For further information or to make a tax-deductible donation to the Henry Ford Health System/Ukraine Hospital Partnership, contact Mr. Case, (313) 876-8485.

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