The Friends of the Sick and the Elderly in Gozo (FSEG) recently donated to Gozo General Hospital an electrically-driven patient hoist with three slings, two Huntleigh obstetric dopplers and four wheelchairs. Health Minister Godfrey Farrugia received the equipment in the presence of hospital CEO Nadine Delicata.

Presenting the items, FSEG president John Pace said the organisation will be celebrating its 25th anniversary on December 5, 2013, a date that coincides with the international day of volunteering.

Since 1988, the FSEG has helped the sick and elderly at the hospital and in other institutions by visiting, assisting, donating and advocacy. In the past few years, apart from delivering meals on wheels, the organisation has concentrated its activity on lending motorised beds, lifters, wheelchairs and other equipment to the community to encourage families to care for their old or chronic sick members in their own homes, where they belong and would rather be. In this way, they indirectly helped the hospital by releasing beds that would otherwise be occupied for long periods by social cases. Dr Pace added that, so far, 178 families have been assisted in this way.

Dr Farrugia thanked the FSEG and praised it for its efforts.

He added that the many philanthropic NGOs in Malta have a significant and highly appreciated role in the well-being of the community.

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