Useful donations

I refer to the letter by Joseph N. Attard, chairman of the International Association of Lions Club - Malta Zone (March 13).

I just want to point out that through Lions Club La Valletta and Lions Club St Paul's Bay I have donated two nursing beds, one to Razzett Tal-Ħbiberija in Marsascala and another to the hospital in Gozo.

These nursing beds, which are known as the Hammett nursing bed, are being used every day and apart from these two other nursing beds have been donated to many homes catering for people with a disability and schools both in Malta and Gozo. Over 100 disabled persons are using these nursing beds as it has been found that these avoid lifting and, at the same time, cut nursing work by over 70 per cent. The nursing bed guarantees comfort to users and, in addition, only requires one nurse rather than three as is the case when other beds are used.

Some of the donations were made through the Lions Club and at the moment the nursing bed at Gozo hospital is awaiting the inclusion of a ceiling hoist so that the disabled or infirm persons using it would find it easy to get thermostatic warm water bathing which, prior to the use of these beds, was very difficult to do. The Lions Club is known for its contribution to charity homes all over the world and these donations will continue to be made as they are of benefit to both disabled persons and centres such as the Corradino Rehabilitation Centre and St Catherine's, Attard.

These nursing beds are more valuable than money as they are not found anywhere else in the world except for Denmark and Dubai, where Hammett nursing beds were donated to homes for the disabled in these countries and are being used every day.

I have also donated, on the recommendations of the Lions Club, two ceiling hoists to Arka Foundation in Gozo and Dar Tal-Providenza in Siġġiewi as these can help people who cannot walk to be transported from their wheelchair directly onto the Hammett nursing bed to receive assistance and thermostatic water messages in great comfort and without any difficulty.