Health Division clarification on newspaper article

One of the local newspapers recently published an article which gave a distorted image of the state of affairs at the Renal Unit at St. Luke's Hospital. This article was accompanied by a photo of a 5-year-old girl which was erroneously sub-headed in such a way that it gave the impression that this girl needs a filtration pump to be able to live.

The Renal Unit has two water purification pumps. These water purification pumps are needed to purify the water that is used by the kidney machines. There are times when both pumps are functioning, particularly on days when there is a heavy workload of dialysis patients, but in general one pump is functioning to full capacity, whilst the other acts as a back-up. The Health Division is fully aware that a new water purification pump is required in order to have reserve back-up and be in a position to further expand the dialysis service should the need arise.

In fact the specifications for the new pump are being drawn up and its future location has already been decided. The reason why the Division has not proceeded as yet with the procurement process is because Life Cycle and Friends of St. Luke's Hospital/ KSU /NSTS initiatives had targeted to fund such a pump. The Health Division would like to encourage these two organisations' initiative prior to proceeding.

In the case of this 5-year-old girl, the Department of Health can confirm that she is being given all the necessary treatment needed in such a case. The Department of Health would also like to remind the general public that fund-raising by individuals or non-official bodies for governmental projects, needs the permission from the authorities of the department concerned.