Peshawar, November 12, 2009 - Hospitals in the North West Frontier Province will be better equipped to treat trauma victims with today's donation by the U.S. government of approximately $430,000 worth of emergency medical supplies. The urgently needed medical equipment will replenish and expand medical stocks at large hospitals in areas particularly prone to mass casualty incidents.

"No hospital can mitigate the tragedy of a suicide bombing, but a well-supplied medical center can help reduce the loss of life," U.S. Representative John Tierney said at a handover ceremony to NWFP Minister of Social Welfare at the Officers Mess. The ceremony underscored U.S. support for victims of terrorist attacks and was attended by NWFP dignitaries, U.S. Consul General E. Candace Putnam, Representative George Miller, Representative Ron Kind and Representative Peter Welch.

At the ceremony, Representative Tierney, who is on a three day visit to Pakistan, presented pharmaceuticals and essential hospital equipment, comprised of antibiotics, anesthetics, surgical blades, sutures, and other emergency supplies. Also part of the donation, but to arrive in Pakistan in the coming weeks are non-inf-latable anti-shock garments and haemostatic bandages - products used to stabilize body pressure and stop acute bleeding.

This donation is part of an ongoing commitment by the United States to partner with Pakistan to fund health care improvements in the NWFP. The U.S recently provided the NWFP with 24 ambulances, training sessions for hundreds of healthcare workers, assistance to 25 facilities to enable the provision of 24-hour emergency care for newborns, and upgrades for several health facilities and district hospitals, including essential medical equipment such as ventilators, refrigerators, generators, voltage regulators, stretchers, and surgical supplies.