Tubod, Lanao del Norte – Medical equipment and hospital supplies valued at close to 380 thousand dollars (approximately 15-million pesos) arrived here in the province last January 20, 2012 inside a container van at the Mindanao Civic Center complex.


The latest shipment is the second of three deliveries containing assorted medical equipment, hospital instruments and supplies from donor World Medical Relief, Inc. (WMRI).


The Detroit-based organization has been distributing surplus medical resources to places and countries where they are needed most without regard to race, color, gender, religion, nationality or political beliefs.   


“We are very fortunate that we are one of about 7 provinces who were able to meet with Dr. David Zarate (WMRI coordinator for the Philippines). He was instrumental in helping us secure this much-needed equipment for our provincial hospitals”, Governor Khalid Dimaporo expressed.


As counterpart, the provincial government will shoulder the freight and handling fees of the container vans holding the donations gathered by WMRI.


The donated equipment arrived in the country through the port of Davao and brought to Lanao del Norte using container haulers.  


“For the 20-thousand US dollars that we’re paying for every container, bawi na kami sa isang dental chair lang kasi high-tech talaga ang mga equipment sa loob ng containers and they’re still good as new”, Dimaporo added.


The first container which arrived in the province last October 15, 2011 was valued at 133,500 US dollars or approximately 5.3 million pesos bringing the total value to more than 20 million pesos.


“We are very grateful to World Medical Relief for their generous donation of hospital equipment.  This will help a lot in improving our healthcare services in our hospitals”, said Dr. Melania Untao, Provincial Health Officer.


Among the medical equipment and supplies found in the container vans were 70 hospital beds, orthopedic supplies like arm slings and child’s back brace, urology supplies like urinary bags and catheters, surgery supplies, anesthesia, dental units, crutches, walkers, blood pressure sets, and infusion pumps.


The third container van is expected to be delivered in this fast-rising province within the second quarter of this year. VNL & LAR/PIO-LDN