Order of Malta donates defibrillator to health ministry |18 July 2014

The health ministry has received a portable defibrillator from the Order of Malta.

A defibrillator is an electrical device that provides a shock to the heart when there is a life-threatening arrhythmia (irregular or abnormal rhythm of the heart) present.

The small device was handed over to Health Minister Mitcy Larue by the chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of the Sovereign Order of Malta Alexandra Azaïs in a short ceremony at Minister Larue’s office yesterday morning.

Also present were the chief executive of the Health Care Agency, Dr Suresh Menon, his deputy Dr Danny Louange, members of the Triboldi family and other key health officials.

When addressing guests before the handover, Mrs Azaïs said the donation was a gift from Daniela Triboldi, wife of the late ambassador Graziano Triboldi of Malta, and her daughter.

Mrs Triboldi and her daughter said the late Mr Triboldi was so in love with Seychelles, its people, the surroundings and this is why he settled here over 20 years ago.

“Today it is in keeping with his tradition of helping others and honouring his great love for Seychelles that we are donating this defibrillator for patients with heart conditions,” said Mrs Triboldi.

Mrs Azaïs said the defibrillator is a very useful tool in cardiovascular accidents as it is used to stabilise patients before they are hospitalised.
“The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) advice is to always have defibrillators in public places, especially stadiums and playgrounds to give first aid to people with heart problems,” Mrs Azaïs further explained.

For his part, Dr Louange pointed out that worldwide this portable device can be found in most public places such as bus terminals, shopping malls, gymnasiums and others.

“But here in Seychelles we are not ready to install this device in public places because we need to educate our population and we at least need a majority of people knowing how to operate this simple piece of equipment,” Dr Louange pointed out.

He noted that the donation has arrived at a time of great need because there is an increase in the number of patients with heart conditions and this is a cause for great concern.

“The Ministry of Health is also in the process of modernising health care in Seychelles and this device will surely help us improve our health care services,” Dr Louange concluded.