BOLTON medics have stepped in with much-needed help for Third World patients.

Staff at The Beaumont Hospital amassed a shipment of medical equipment to help set up a new physiotherapy unit in the Dar Es Salaam Hospital in Tanzania.

Now crutches, Zimmer frames, wheelchairs, a theatre trolley and sterilising equipment from the Lostock private hospital will be transported to the African country.

The idea came after a member of the Tanzanian Hospitals' Support Group, Gita Somaye, came to London to qualify as a physiotherapist.

Gita visited The Beaumont Hospital, in Old Hall Clough, Chorley New Road, Lostock, for some work experience during her stay in England.

Lee Barker, head of physio at The Beaumont, said: "Health care facilities in Tanzania are very basic due to lack of funds and equipment.

"We offered to send stock which was lying unused because it has been superseded by more modern equipment. Using it this way is far better than it being thrown onto a skip.

"Much of the medical care comes from charitable organisations, such as the Hospitals' Support Group, and we were delighted to help out."

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