The 75 honorary consuls who attended their three-day biennial meeting here last week, have given Seychelles a consignment of a wide range of medicine and health equipment which included wheel chairs.

Ruth Wills from the US presented them to the principal secretary for Health Dr Bernard Valentin, who said the items will help the country maintain its high level of services, noting Seychelles spends US $300 per citizen per year, compared with countries “much bigger and wealthier nations like Kenya, which uses only US $20 per head per annum”.

Ms Wills said the consuls competed to offer specific items on the Seychelles request list, and it was through intensive communication between them that they arrived at what each consul will bring, thus avoiding duplication.

“I assure you Mr principal secretary that everything the doctors and the nurses requested, we have here,” said Ms Wills, saying the consuls have been to the Seychelles Hospital and know how well-trained the staff there are.

Dr Valentin said the ministry welcomed the items and several thousand US dollars given by the consuls.

“These items are all based on real needs and are very important for the care of our patients,” he said.

He said the joy of promoting, protecting and restoring health is always a partnership and referred to the consuls as worthy partners who “gave because they care and expect nothing in return”.