Cape Coast, Feb. 27, GNA- Reverend Dave Watson, head pastor of the United Church of Canada, on Thursday presented a bill of laden in respect of medical equipment worth 2.6 billion cedis donated by the church for distribution to health facilities in the Cape Coast municipality.

The items included surgical masks, gowns and gloves. They are expected to arrive in the country in 45 days.

Presenting the documents, to the Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Muniru Arafat Nuhu, Rev Watson said the idea to donate the items was mooted out by Mr Kojo Wilberforce, a native of Cape Coast resident in Canada.

Mr Wilberforce said two years ago, he accompanied a sick relative to a health facility in the town, where he was touched by lack of medical supplies there. He therefore decided to assist.

Mr Nuhu, expressed gratitude to Rev Watson and briefed him about the government's commitment to scrap the "cash and carry" system of health delivery, and said the supplies would help reduce the cost of treatment. He disclosed that the government has released 250 million cedis to the Municipal Assembly to be used as seed money to start the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

Mr Nuhu and Rev Watson later jointly cut a sod to begin construction of the senior citizens' home to be provided by the Church.