Medical equipment from the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games is set to play a winning role in improving the lives of some of Africa’s most vulnerable mums and their children.
A range of essential and unused health equipment including stethoscopes, blood pressure monitors and thermometers worth £10,000 has been gifted by Games organisers to a Scottish-based charity which provides free maternity care and surgery to help African women injured in childbirth.
The Freedom From Fistula Foundation works in a range of Commonwealth countries including Kenya, Malawi and Sierra Leone and has the capacity to help up to 10,000 women and their children each year. As well as repairing debilitating injuries caused by childbirth, the charity trains midwives and offers education and empowerment programmes which provide women with the skills and knowledge needed to help them run their own businesses or advance their education.
A range of essential and unused health equipment including stethoscopes, blood pressure monitors and thermometers worth £10,000 has been gifted by Games organisers to a Scottish-based charity which provides free maternity care and surgery to help African women injured in childbirth.
The Freedom From Fistula Foundation works in a range of Commonwealth countries including Kenya, Malawi and Sierra Leone and has the capacity to help up to 10,000 women and their children each year. As well as repairing debilitating injuries caused by childbirth, the charity trains midwives and offers education and empowerment programmes which provide women with the skills and knowledge needed to help them run their own businesses or advance their education.
Based in Perth, the charity has a number of high-profile ambassadors including TV personality Lorraine Kelly, the President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and former President of Malawi, Joyce Banda. All funds donated go directly to the Foundation’s operations, with running costs being met by the Gloag Foundation, set up by Scottish businesswoman Ann Gloag, OBE.
The medical equipment donated by Glasgow 2014 was originally part of the supplies for the Glasgow 2014 Polyclinic, which looked after the health and well-being of more than 6,500 athletes and officials from 71 nations and territories who stayed in the Athletes’ Village during the Games. The Polyclinic operated on a 24-hour basis with an aim of delivering outstanding medical services to support the Commonwealth athletes performing at their best.
David Grevemberg, Glasgow 2014 Chief Executive, said:
“We’re really proud to be able to contribute in a small way to the vital and transformative work for Commonwealth women undertaken by this small but empowering Scottish charity.
“The Foundation is changing the lives not just of thousands of individual women, but also those of their families and communities and I am delighted we are able to contribute in a practical way.”
Ann Gloag, founder of the Freedom From Fistula Foundation, said:
“We are so grateful to Glasgow 2014 for donating this equipment to help our teams working in Africa. The equipment will make a substantial difference to our maternity and fistula projects in the Commonwealth countries we work in and will ensure the continuing legacy of Glasgow 2014 beyond Scotland.”
Cabinet Secretary for Commonwealth Games, Sport and Equalities Shona Robison said:
“I am delighted that local charity The Freedom From Fistula Foundation is able to use the medical equipment from the polyclinic to help women and children in Africa.
“The Foundation carries out excellent work helping women through childbirth and ensuring they have access to maternity care so that they, and their children, can flourish.”
The medical equipment donated by Glasgow 2014 was originally part of the supplies for the Glasgow 2014 Polyclinic, which looked after the health and well-being of more than 6,500 athletes and officials from 71 nations and territories who stayed in the Athletes’ Village during the Games. The Polyclinic operated on a 24-hour basis with an aim of delivering outstanding medical services to support the Commonwealth athletes performing at their best.
David Grevemberg, Glasgow 2014 Chief Executive, said:
“We’re really proud to be able to contribute in a small way to the vital and transformative work for Commonwealth women undertaken by this small but empowering Scottish charity.
“The Foundation is changing the lives not just of thousands of individual women, but also those of their families and communities and I am delighted we are able to contribute in a practical way.”
Ann Gloag, founder of the Freedom From Fistula Foundation, said:
“We are so grateful to Glasgow 2014 for donating this equipment to help our teams working in Africa. The equipment will make a substantial difference to our maternity and fistula projects in the Commonwealth countries we work in and will ensure the continuing legacy of Glasgow 2014 beyond Scotland.”
Cabinet Secretary for Commonwealth Games, Sport and Equalities Shona Robison said:
“I am delighted that local charity The Freedom From Fistula Foundation is able to use the medical equipment from the polyclinic to help women and children in Africa.
“The Foundation carries out excellent work helping women through childbirth and ensuring they have access to maternity care so that they, and their children, can flourish.”
By: Editor
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