Afghan envoy welcomes humanitarian aid

OTTAWA (Online): Afghan Ambassador Omar Samad has welcomed more than $1.5 million medicines and supplies donated to his country by Health Partners International of Canada (HPIC). The ambassador participated in a ceremony held in Mississauga, Ontario, where the medical supplies shipment to Afghanistan was announced .Samad thanked donors and financial supporters of the shipment. According to a press release issued from the embassy, Samad said: Your generosity will touch the lives of thousands of Afghans who are, in most cases, deprived of quality medical supplies including medicines. He lauded 13 Canadian health-care companies and the Bridgeway Foundation for donating the medicines and providing financial support to deliver the shipment to CURE International Hospital in Kabul. The shipment includes anti-infectives, vitamins, diabetes treatment and anti-virals. At a press conference, HPIC President John Kelsall highlighted the significance of the program for Afghans. Mrs. Carol Peterson, representing the Bridgeway Foundation, explained the humanitarian motivation for participation in the Afghan medical project. The Embassy has been working with HPIC, a non-governmental organization, since 2004 to provide health-care assistance to Afghanistan. In 2004, HPIC shipped more than $2 million worth of medicines to the country. In February, HPIC announced a multi-million dollar diversified programme to help the public health sector in Afghanistan.