SAKHEE Saheli, a women's wing of the Charotar Patidar Samaj Association of the Indian community in Zambia, has donated K31 million worth of items to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

The donation, which included 686 metres curtain material, 400 metres bed sheet material, six Urns, 20 boxes of surgical gloves, cotton rolls and a water tank, was handed over yesterday to Obstetrics and Gynaecology Head of Department Berlington Vwalika by the organisation's treasurer ILa Desai.

Ms Desai said despite being a small organisation, Saheli would continue assisting various institutions as its primary mission was to raise funds for charitable causes.

She said the organisation chose to donate to the department because it was concerned about the health of women and children as they were the most vulnerable in society.

"Most of us have been admitted to this department hence we want to demonstrate that we are here to assist," Ms Desai said.

Receiving the donation, Dr Vwalika said the department was excited by the association's gesture.

He said UTH was a high volume hospital with bottomless needs and that Government alone could not afford to meet the needs.

"We as UTH and as a department in particular are excited and grateful for this gesture that has been extended to us and I urge you not to tire as such an initiative will go a long way in meeting our needs," he said.

Speaking at the same occasion, nursing officer in charge at the department Naomi Zulu thanked the organisation for the initiative.

She said the department was faced with numerous challenges which it could not meet on its own.