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Gibraltar Government gifts old hospital equipment to Montserrat
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The Government of Gibraltar is making a gift to the Government and people of Montserrat from the Government and people of Gibraltar of an extensive inventory of medical and hospital equipment and furnishings from the old St Bernard?s Hospital which were not transferred to the new hospital.
Montserrat is a UK Overseas Territory in the Caribbean with a population of approx 5000 people. It will be recalled that Montserrat suffered severe volcanic eruption which began in July 1995, with a catastrophic eruption in June 1997. As a result of which it suffered great social, economic and infrastructure loss. It does not have a full hospital.
The Montserrat Government does not have the financial resources to fund an infrastructure investment programme to meet the island?s needs following the volcanic eruption.
The list of equipment being shipped to Montserrat by the Gibraltar Government includes general medical equipment (beds, cots etc), radiology equipment (1 full x-ray suite), sterilisation equipment, physiotherapy equipment and other specialist equipment e.g. cardiac monitors and incubators. The Gibraltar Government is also providing technical support and personnel for the erection of the equipment in Montserrat. The equipment has an estimated value in excess of one million pounds.
Chief Minister Peter Caruana commented: ?Montserrat has been hugely unlucky with this volcanic eruption from which it has not yet been able to recover. As a result its population has reduced greatly from migration to other countries. This gift will make a significant difference to its social and medical infrastructure. The equipment is surplus to our requirements, and I know that the people of Gibraltar will want to see it put to good use by a people who, through no fault of their own, are in need of it.?
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