Ms. Francine Sommersell makes the presentation to CEO Michael Khan as Paula Brandt looks on.

A DONATION of medical supplies was yesterday made to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) by a group of United States-based Guyanese currently at home for a family reunion.

The donor group, the Sommersell/Howard/Bess families, handed the items over to Chief Executive Officer of the GPHC, Mr. Michael Khan, at a presentation ceremony held at the Multi-purpose Room, New Market Street.

Presenting the items, which included surgical gloves and glucometers (blood-sugar testers), on behalf of the group, were President of the Overseas Chapter, Ms. Paula Brandt and Francine Sommersell.

The CEO expressed gratitude to the donors, noting that the institution was particularly happy to receive the glucometers, since diabetes is one of the largest killers in Guyana at this time.

He said there is a heightened diabetes awareness drive now going on at the hospital, in which the Ministry of Health is working rigidly on sensitising people (particularly diabetics) to the importance of diabetic foot care, since there is a worrying increase in leg amputations which have come about as a result of diabetes.

Others witnessing the presentation included Matron Ms. Audrey Corey; Assistant Director of Nursing Services,- Sister Noshella Lalckecharan and other health workers.

Brandt, who gave a brief background to their activities, said the reunion which began on Sunday with a church service in Berbice, is the fourth being held by the families, but the first in Guyana. All others were held in the United States.