Two district hospitals in Zululand were the recipients of medical equipment generously donated by the Rotary Club of Ballito last Saturday.

The second-hand medical equipment was collected by a number of Rotary clubs in the United Kingdom and shipped to Durban.

Ballito Rotary handled the shipping and clearance costs of the container that was loaded with assorted medical equipment such as wheelchairs, walking sticks and hospital mattresses.

The Hlabisa and Ngwelezane district hospitals in Zululand were given 240 collapsible walking sticks, 12 orthopaedic boots, 100 face shields, 20 “window” face masks for the hearing impaired (to enable lip reading), 50 fabric masks and 10 baby jerseys.

“About two thirds of the medical equipment for disabled people has been paid for and distributed to other Rotary clubs within District 9370 which includes KZN North Coast, South Coast, Midlands, Free State, Northern Cape and Lesotho,” said former Ballito Rotary president and Rotarian Ken Lever.

The equipment was refurbished and still in great condition and were valuable to rural hospitals where there was a pressing need for medical equipment.

Rotary is the biggest humanitarian organisation in the world. Established in 1917 the work of Rotary clubs begins in their communities with projects focusing on six key areas: promoting peace; disease prevention and treatment; providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene; saving mothers and children; supporting education and growing local economies.

As the founding partner of the global polio eradication initiative, Rotary has also been working for more than 30 years to eradicate polio.

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