Much-needed medical equipment from Kareena Private Hospital at Caringbah and St George Private Hospital at Kogarah will go to some of the world's poorest countries as part of an ongoing partnership.
Five electrocardiogram (ECG) machines from Kareena Private Hospital and 14 of St George Private Hospital's ECG machines will make their way overseas as part of an ongoing partnership between Ramsay Health Care Australia and the Rotary Club of Berrima District.
Under the partnership, Ramsay donates medical equipment and goods which are no longer needed to disadvantaged countries around the globe as part of Rotary's Medical Aid for Oceania and Worldwide (MAFO) project.
This year, a total of 70 ECG machines from eight Ramsay hospitals will be donated, according to Ramsay Health Care Australia's chief executive Carmel Monaghan.
"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.
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."
The partnership started in 2010 with the donation of hospital beds, consumables and other essential items to hospitals in Fiji.
Since then, Ramsay has donated wheelchairs, theatre lights and tables, hospital furniture, anaesthetic machines, ultrasound and X-ray machines, blood pressure monitors, sterilisers and consumables.
Ramsay also provides $10,000 each year towards the overseas transport costs.
