Belgian donates hospital equipment to Capitol

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu provincial government received yesterday from a Belgian donor three 40-footer container vans of medical equipment and supplies for government-run hospitals in the province.

Patrick Hagheddoren from Ledegem in Belgium turned over the equipment and supplies to the Capitol officials led by Governor Hilario Davide III at the Cebu International Convention Center.  The donation will be placed temporarily at the facility for safekeeping, said Provincial Administrator Mark Tolentino.

He said security personnel are also detailed at the CICC’s premises.  Hagheddoren, 59, worked in a telecommunication company in Belgium.

In an interview with the media, Hagheddoren said he decided to donate the supplies and equipment to Cebu because he believes these would be properly utilized by the province.

He said the donations were sponsored by several helping hands, including non-government organizations, and hospitals in Belgium.

Hagheddoren has been visiting the Philippines for eight years under his civic project named “Solidaritiet Southern Leyte.” He started in Cainta, Rizal and expanded in Southern Leyte where the project’s name was coined.

The medical equipment and supplies include 30 hospital beds in each  container, walkers, wheelchairs, examination tables, medical gloves, rescue bed, medical supply, delivery table, crutches, ambulance bags, blankets, pillows and diapers.

Hagheddoren said the medical equipment were slightly used by the donor hospitals.  Davide, who thanked the Belgian donor, said they will be distributing the equipment and supplies to the 16 district and provincial hospitals in the province.

The province shouldered the shipment of the donations from Belgium.  (FREEMAN)