Accra, Dec. 11, GNA - Parliament on Friday approved a 2.8 million Euro loan agreement between Ghana and the KBC Bank of Belgium for the supply and installation of heavy duty washing machines for 13 hospitals in the country. The loan, which has a grace period of 10 years and repayment period of 20 years would among other things ensure the transportation, collection and processing of soiled linens in hospitals in a more decent manner.

The acquisition and installation of the washing machines would also reduce the risk of health workers who were hitherto exposed to infections such as hepatitis "A" since soiled linens were a major cause of infections in most hospitals.

Mr. James Klutse Avedzi, Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Finance who made this known gave the assurance that the loan would also step up the health delivery system by reversing the lack of automated laundry services in hospitals.

Other loans approved by Parliament included a 28 Million Euro loan facility between Ghana and Fortis Bank N.V of The Netherlands for the rehabilitation and upgrading of the Tamale Teaching Hospital and a $21.72 Million- Dollar loan from Export-Import Bank of India to finance improved fish harvesting and fish processing project as well as the supply of waste management equipment.

The rest are a $13.5 Million loan from the OPEC fund for International Development and Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa for the upgrading and expansion of the radiotherapy and nuclear medicine services in Korle-Bu and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospitals.