2002 press releases

U.S. Delivers Medical Supplies to Hospital in Gomel (August 23, 2002)

The United States Embassy in Minsk delivered on August 5 medical supplies and equipment to the Gomel City Hospital of Emergency Medicine. This hospital serves as the primary emergency medical treatment facility for a city of more than 600,000 inhabitants, as well as numerous rural areas in the region still suffering from the after effects of the Chernobyl incident.

The shipment consisted of 2,128 pieces of medical equipment, supplies and
furniture with an estimated value of $57,000. The donation was made possible through the humanitarian assistance budget of the United States European Command (EUCOM). Since 1996, money has been set aside in the EUCOM budget for such purposes. This money is used to support assistance in emergency situations and humanitarian aid projects throughout the region. The objectives of this program are to assist in preparation for natural disasters and crises, to promote stability, and to affect positively the social landscape of the country.

However, property donations are only one of the various types of assistance EUCOM has provided to Belarus. The United States Department of Defense also has finished renovations at the Gomel Emergency Hospital Blood Transfusion Clinic.  The joint project between the Gomel Regional Government and EUCOM, which was completed in July 2001, involved the complete renovation of a century-old building belonging to the Gomel Emergency Hospital. The United States donated $463,000 towards the renovation of the building.  The work included reinforcement and insulation of walls, floors and ceilings. The project also included landscaping, installation of windows, complete electrical wiring, automated heating and plumbing installation, a potable water supply, ventilation, air conditioning, and additional repairs.

There is ongoing mutual cooperation between the United States Department of Defense and the Gomel Regional Government. At this time, the United States Embassy in Minsk is pleased to announce that EUCOM has allocated an additional $190,000 for the purpose of renovating a second historic building on the grounds of the Gomel City Hospital of Emergency Medicine.  The United States government hopes that this and other contributions will help Belarus develop its medical infrastructure and thus improve its ability to care for its people.