BN Posted July 19, 2003 War-torn Somalia gets a medical treatment Photo: HEATH MISSEN Issa Farah, Cabrini Hospital's Cath Garner and Sheikh Isse. July 20 2003 By Stephen Moynihan Hospital beds, trolleys, medical equipment and even a kitchen sink were packed into a container bound for Somalia on Friday. Melbourne's Cabrini Hospital, which works closely with the city's Somali community, donated the hospital equipment, which will find a new home in the city of Boosaaso, in Somalia's north-east. The container - which also holds computers donated by La Trobe University - will sail for Somalia tomorrow and is expected to arrive in the war-torn country in September. Cabrini Hospital chief executive Roger Greenman said the shipment was part of a plan to provide needy countries with vital medical equipment. He said the hospital was investigating the possibility of sending staff to Somalia to provide specialised skills. "It's important to remember the countries like Somalia because they tend to get forgotten and they are struggling," he said. Dr Aidarus Farah will arrive in Somalia at the end of this year to oversee the new equipment and to provide specialist medical skills. Dr Farah will work at the Boosaaso hospital as the country's only qualified orthopedic surgeon. He aims to treat children with deformities. The religious leader of Melbourne's Somali community, Sheikh Isse, said the donation of educational and health supplies was greatly appreciated. Sheikh Isse said it was important for Somalis here to help those in need back home. Somali community figure Issa Farah praised the generosity of the hospital and university. http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/07/19/1058545631454.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
