Hospitals in Uganda will receive a huge delivery of medical goods thanks to a generous donation from a pharmaceutical company.
Sigma Pharmaceuticals, based in Imperial Way, Watford, filled a 40ft container with 52 pallets of stock destined for a hospital in Lira, Uganda - just over 200 miles away from the capital Kampala.
The daily living aids, such as wheelchairs, commode chairs, and body support equipment, will then be distributed across the area.
Volunteers from Shishukunj Harrow joined Sigma staff on Saturday to help load the lorry.
Sigma co-chairman Manish Shah said: "One of our operating principles is built on a simple premise, ‘give and it will always come back’. The first generation family are from East Africa, and naturally, we were delighted to be partnering with this charity, and it gladdens our hearts that we can help and alleviate human suffering and illness in Africa with this little contribution from the UK."
Watford MP Dean Russell also lent a hand on Saturday morning.
Watford MP Dean Russell, centre, with two members of MedAid UK. Credit: Credit: Apresh Chavda Photography
He said: "It was an honour to be invited to help with the loading up of some 52 pallets of essential medication and mobility goods. It's heart-warming to see such excellent humanitarian work taking place in Watford."
Sigma's gesture was in response to an appeal by the charity MedAid, which is responsible for getting and distributing the stock in Uganda.
MedAid executive director, Simon Henry Opio-Emuna, said: "We are overwhelmed at the generosity of Sigma to part with so much stock in such a time of desperate need in our country. "Whilst this is such a welcome gesture of humanitarian care, we’re still a long way off from our national target of providing health and help to all our citizens."
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