Lions’ mercy plan for SA health care

devon.editorial@archant.co.uk
19 October 2007

PATIENTS at a hospital in Swaiziland are to have better facilities thanks to the dedication of a local Lions club.

Four years ago, Budleigh Salterton Lions joined forces with doctors and medical staff at the Good Shepherd Hospital, in Siteki, Swaziland - and since then have donated £80 a month for vital medical supplies.

Thanks to the group's tireless fund-raising activities, a much-need skin graft machine, costing £3,950, and a crate of soft toys for young patients, is winging its way to the hospital.

This summer, the Lions pledged to raise more than £5,000 to replace broken down medical equipment which was beyond repair.

As well as a skin graft machine, the hospital desperately needs a laparotomy set for abdomen procedures, costing £1,600, a burr hole set for surgical skull drilling and a portable x-ray machine.

But thanks to the generosity of local people, the Lions are just £400 short of buying the second piece of medical equipment - the laparotomy set.

Budleigh Salterton Lions welfare chairman Alan Lowe said the club this year held two events to raise the funds.

"The support we had from our town for these events was tremendous and, along with some generous donations, we have been able to buy the first item from the list - a skin graft machine - and also a crate of soft toys for the children.

"The machine and toys are now in transit to the hospital.

"We would like to thank Lloyds Pharmacy, who assisted us in obtaining the skin graft machine."

Early in 2007, Lions Geoff Paver and Phil Hartnell spent a harrowing two days visiting the South African hospital, which deals with children suffering from AIDS and HIV-related illness - a huge percent of whom are orphans.

The head doctor gave the pair a guided tour of the facilities, where they were able to see first hand the problems with equipment and supplies.

The Lions were so appalled by the conditions they immediately began fundraising for new equipment.