Health department gets two new ventilators |04 September 2020
Dr Louange accepts the ventilator from the Hunt, Deltel & Co representatives (Photo: Thomas Meriton)
The department of Health has received two new ventilators – one from the Joseph Albert Family (JAF) Foundation and the Central Bank of Seychelles (CBS) and the other from Hunt, Deltel & Co.
The symbolic handover of the two new pieces of equipment was held yesterday at the Sheikh Khalifa diagnostic centre.
“Before the lockdown, we understood that there was a demand for ventilators and the Joseph Albert Family Foundation together with the Central Bank of Seychelles made it possible to donate one of the ventilators today. We understand that the equipment is also a new state-of-the-art machine. We wanted to contribute towards the community and we are proud to donate this to the department of Health. You guys are doing a very good job and we hope that the machine will benefit the whole population,” noted Gregory Albert on behalf of the JAF group.
On behalf of the CBS, Jenifer Sullivan added that the unprecedented Covid-19 has not spared Seychelles and is a health crisis.
“The CBS is very much aware of the efforts that have been invested and also on the challenges we are facing. The contribution from the CBS is a way to express our support and appreciation towards the work the health authority and its staff are doing for those who have been affected and to put in place measures that have allowed our country to successfully control the spread of the virus thus far.”
Speaking on behalf of Hunt, Deltel & Co., its managing director Christophe Hoareau noted that as soon as the company received the request from the department of Health, it did not take long to answer.
“This machine is a start of collaboration with the Public Health Authority (PHA). We also provided for transport services and support at the airport. We made sure that we responded adequately in tackling the pandemic. It is a pleasure for us to donate this machine and we are proud to be part of the journey.”
Dr Danny Louange, chief executive of the Health Care Agency (HCA), accepted these donations on behalf of all the health institutions.
“It is important during these times to receive these equipment and to make sure that we are prepared to face a situation where people need ventilation. These donations once again show the collaboration between the private and public sector. The collaboration we have as a nation against this invisible enemy is prepared properly. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the three organisations present today have been loyal and faithful partners.”
The deputy CEO of the HCA, Kathleen Cecile, also thanked the donors and added that “the HCA and the PHA are working closely together since Covid-19 hit our shores. The ventilator is from Switzerland and Hunt, Deltel & Co already provided us with transport at the beginning and now with this new donation, our patients will benefit from that.”
The accompanying photos taken by our photographer Thomas Meriton show highlights of the handover ceremony.
Vidya Gappy
