Children's Ambulance Presentation
The Children’s ambulance, the major project of Rotary Club Malta for the year 2016/17 was officially presented to Malta Red Cross by our President Lino Cutajar. Members of Rotary as well as mothers and children and the local press were present at the handover at the Operations Centre of the Red Cross in Pembroke.
Pictures of the event can be found by going to the Rotary Photo Gallery.
To read and download the Presidents address: Click here
A collaborative project of Rotary Club Malta & Malta Red Cross
The main objective of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service to the community. The Rotary Foundation, which this year is celebrating its centennial anniversary, has supported thousands of projects internationally to provide clear water, fight disease, provide basic education and grow local economies. In conjunction with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Rotary has virtually managed to almost eradicate polio world-wide.
In support of the centenary celebrations of Rotary Foundation, Rotary Club Malta, which is also celebrating its 50th anniversary, has collaborated with the Malta Red Cross Society by sponsoring a unique project – the launch of a children’s ambulance.
Many trips are carried out during the year transporting sick children, some feverish, some in pain from trauma, others on their way to receive chemotherapy. Very often these children are anxious and overawed by the medical equipment which surrounds them. The ambulance which is being launched today addresses these concerns. It has been converted in such a way that while the internal equipment is of the highest standard it is arranged such that no drips or needles are visible. The livery on the outside is stunning because it was designed by a local professional artist based on drawings made by very young local children. The accompanying Red Cross staff, who will have a distinctive uniform, are certified and trained to distract the child while offering optimal medical care.
The ambulance will be managed by the Malta Red Cross Society which is well known for its humanitarian activities. It has received the necessary ambulance certification. It will be made available to the Department of Health for any request to transport sick children as well as for any other activity where children are involved.
This is an expensive project. Rotary Club Malta has managed to raise the necessary funds through fund-raising activities as well as by very generous donations by some corporations and by private donors, some even from abroad. The British Red Cross has also been very supportive.
We wish to thank all those who, in one way or another, have contributed to the success of this project. Rotary Club Malta and the Malta Red Cross are proud to have been of service to the local community.
Thank you for coming and for your support.
Prof. Carmel Lino Cutajar President, Rotary Club Malta.