Manica, Mozambique — The US ambassador to Mozambique, Sharon Wilkinson, has delivered a consignment of health equipment value at 240,000 US dollars to the Manica health centre, 75 km north of Maputo.

Handing over the equipment Monday, Wilkinson said the US would soon repeat the gesture to Boane and Boquisso health centres in Maputo province.

The donation is in fulfilment of the Humanitarian Aid Programme of the US Defence Department "It is my hope that the medical goods will help the three centres render better health services to the people in their areas," she said.

The US also has plans to launch a project involving US military personnel, NGOs and public institutions to assist victims of disasters in July. "The donation in Manica is part of four humanitarian aid projects which started last year," said Wilkinson.

Last year the US installed water pumps and electrical cables at the Boquisso primary school. Alexandre Manguele, the National Health Director, thanked Wilkinson for aid, adding that it symbolised solidarity between the two countries.

"This gesture will help us deal with the serious problems that our health services face," said Manguele. With a population of 130,351 (according to the 1997 census), Manica district has a rural hospital, 10 health centres of varying levels, nine village health posts, and two health posts in private companies as well as a health research centre.