Africa: Anglican Health Network Establishes Medical Equipment Supply System

From All Africa-

The Anglican Health Network (AHN) medical supply system is now open for business. With access to a wide range of surplus equipment in the United States, AHN is now looking for partners and recipients to facilitate deliveries.

"We have the supply lines. We are aware of hospitals and health centres around the Anglican Communion that urgently need life-saving equipment" said Lee Hogan, Co-chair of AHN. "What we need now is collaborative support."

Anglican health facilities in the developing world are often dependent on their relationships with multiple donors. These can be parishes, dioceses or individuals that have long term links. The facilities rely on numerous modest financial contributions and volunteer visits.

"If we could get supporters to pool their resources with one another", added Mr Hogan, "we could realise the needs of our hospitals with more ambition and impact." A typical container load of medical equipment costs around $30,000 to collect, renovate and ship. However, the value of such equipment can be measured in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. With a wide range of supplies available, it may be possible to upgrade the average 50-bed facility with a single delivery. Along with investments in skilled staffing, the health services provided by the hospital can be significantly enhanced.

More here-

http://allafrica.com/stories/201202220865.html

MIDDLE EAST: Jerusalem diocese receives $250,000 grant for healthcare training program

The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem is undertaking a training program in neurosurgery made possible by a US$250,000 grant from the TATWEER Association, a non-governmental development center based in Ramallah, with funding coming from the World Bank.
Under the direction of Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem Suheil Dawani and his coordinator for healthcare institutions and services, Dr. Hisham Nassar, the project is providing three months of specialized neurosurgery training for two doctors and nine nurses from St. Luke's Hospital in Nablus. St. Luke's is one of two hospitals run by the diocese, the other being the Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza.

"The field of neurosurgery was prioritized by the Palestinian Health ministry," according to a news release from the Jerusalem diocese.

For the training, two medical centers have been chosen -- the Palestine Hospital in Amman and the ein Karem Hadassah University Hospital in Jerusalem. The program will include training in emergency room services, intensive care, and orthopedic units.

After the completion of the three-month program, the trainees will return to St. Luke's Hospital, which recently employed two new neurosurgery specialists.

More here-

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81808_108868_ENG_HTM.htm