The maternity unit at the north’s flagship hospital is set to donate unused medical supplies to a new community health clinic in Ghana.
Boxes full of swabs and bandages and items such as stethoscopes and baby clothes will be sent from Raigmore Hospital in Inverness to the Adaklu Health Centre in the Volta region of the West African nation.
The building is currently being built by local people and the project is being supported by the Inverness District Scouts. And one of the Scout leaders is retired consultant Dr Russell Lees who approached the maternity unit at the hospital to ask for help.
Caron Cruickshank, nursing and midwifery manager for woman and child, said that staff in the unit were more than happy to help.
She said: “When Dr Lees approached us we were more than happy to help. There are supplies that we use here such as swabs or bandages which, once a box has been opened, cannot be used again and need to be disposed of. There is nothing wrong with these items but we are unable to use them as we have to follow regulations.
“This is exactly the kind of items that the people on the Adaklu Health Centre could use and we were delighted that they can still be used by people who really need them.
“It is hoped that we can continue to support the centre and I’m looking forward to building up a relationship with them.”
Jo Busby, also a scout leader for Inverness District, is delighted at the support received.
She said: “The area in which the clinic is being built had no access to medical care. They are building the health centre themselves with the men doing the building and the women are carrying the cement and water – everyone is involved.
“They will be so grateful to receive these donations, which also include a number of knitted outfits for newborns, and I’m delighted to accept them on their behalf.”