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Headwaters Health Care Centre Donates Used Equipment to International Outreach Program

Orangeville, ON, October 28, 2009 – Every year Headwaters needs to replace or upgrade over $1million of equipment because it has reached the end of its useful life. Because the government does not provide funding for hospital equipment purchases, Headwaters’ relies on the generosity of local people to donate the funds needed.

Not all equipment is replaced because it is worn out. From time to time new equipment is needed because of technological or procedural changes. This sometimes leaves the challenge of retiring older equipment that is still serviceable.

Headwaters’ partners with St. Joseph's International Outreach program to donate used medical equipment to Port-au-Prince University Hospital in Haiti. Recently, Headwaters sent an ophthalmology chair, wheelchairs, patient beds, monitors, Anaesthesia equipment and 2 cautery units (Electro surgical equipment that coagulates blood to keep the operating field free of excess blood during surgery). International Outreach oversaw the transportation and delivery of equipment, which was part of a larger 40-foot container of hospital equipment.

Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and University Hospital is the country's only public and university teaching hospital for more than 7 million people. It lacks basic resources and relies on donor assistance to meet the needs of its patients.

International Outreach is a not-for-profit organization funded by the Sisters of St. Joseph, Hamilton. This is the third donation Headwaters has made through St. Joseph’s International Outreach program including a 2003 donation to Uganda and a 2007 donation to Haiti.

“We are proud to participate in opportunities to ship equipment overseas. Sharing our older equipment improves health care services for thousands of people in developing nations,” says Cholly Boland, President and CEO, Headwaters Health Care Centre.

About Headwaters Health Care Centre
Headwaters Health Care Centre serves more than 110,000 residents in Caledon, Orangeville, Shelburne and Dufferin County. The hospital operates two sites – Headwaters Orangeville, a 108 bed acute care hospital and Headwaters Shelburne, a 33 bed chronic care hospital. Visit www.headwatershealth.ca.

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