Fund of the Americas president Maria Nelly Arispe, U.S. ambassador Frank E. Baxter, Uruguay Public Health minister Maria Julia Muñoz and Health Services Administration president Baltasar Aguilar during the official presentation on Wednesday, Nov. 28 of an important donation of medical equipment for the Pereira Rossell Children's Hospital and the Tacuarembó Regional Hospital. 2,160 Microlife digital thermometers, 48 digital blood pressure monitors, and 18 aneroid blood pressure monitors, all worth a total of US$8,410.00, will go to the Pereira Rossell. The Regional Nuerosurgical Center of the Tacuarembó Hospital will receive a ZEISS OPMI Vario S88 mounted microscope for microsurgery, valued at US$49,000. This donation comes under the auspices of the Fund of the Americas (Fondo de las Américas) whose objectives are to promote activities that facilitate the conservation, protection and the administration of natural and biological resources, with the goal of improving childhood and youth development. This donation marks the conclusion of the Fund’s activities in Uruguay which came about in 1993 from an agreement signed by the governments of the Republic of Uruguay and the United States of America. Since that time, the Fund has administered more than 6 million dollars, the money having derived from the interest payments made on Uruguay’s foreign debt.
Representatives from the Pereira Rossell Children's Hospital and the Tacuarembo Regional Hospital accepting their respective donations.

"These two major donations will contribute to the health care Uruguayans enjoy. Beyond that, this important medical equipment is a message from the people of the United States of America: we share your goal of pursuing a better and healthier life for the sons and daughters of this beautiful country, and we want to help," stated U.S. Ambassador Frank E. Baxter, speaking in Spanish, during the presentation of medical equipment donated through the Fund of the Americas organization at the Ministry of Public Health in Montevideo, November 28, 2007.

Following is a translation of Ambassador Baxter's remarks as prepared for delivery:

(begin transcript)

FUND OF THE AMERICAS – URUGUAY
DONATION CEREMONY

Commissions Room, Ministry of Public Health
Montevideo

Wednesday, 28 November 2007

MESSAGE FROM THE UNITED STATES AMBASSADOR TO URUGUAY
FRANK E. BAXTER

Good morning.

Thank you for joining us here this morning to celebrate a major milestone in the history of the Fund of the Americas - Uruguay. The United States has contributed to Uruguay for many years by collaborating with the Fund, its partners, non-governmental organizations, and the Uruguayan government. By working together, we can ensure that future generations of Uruguayans, including the underprivileged, will see their quality of life improve.

In 1993, the United States government agreed to contribute 6.2 million U.S. dollars to the people of Uruguay. We asked the Fund to administer our donation. Much has been achieved as a result of U.S.-Uruguayan cooperation. Thanks to the Fund of the Americas, 118 creative projects designed to benefit Uruguay have seen the light of day. When I travel, I have had the opportunity to see first-hand the good works and the impact the Fund of the Americas is having on the communities which need their help the most.

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. The Fund of the Americas is currently nearing completion after a successful cycle as one of the major funding sources for NGOs in Uruguay.

This morning we have the opportunity to congratulate the Fund of the Americas for its role in giving digital thermometers and digital blood pressure devices to the Pereira Rossell Children’s Hospital Center, and the donation of a ZEISS surgical microscope for the Neurological Regional Center in Tacuarembó. This equipment will benefit Uruguayans and their children for generations to come.

These two major donations will contribute to the health care Uruguayans enjoy. Beyond that, this important medical equipment is a message from the people of the United States of America: we share your goal of pursuing a better and healthier life for the sons and daughters of this beautiful country, and we want to help.

Thank you.

(end transcript)

Original remarks delivered in Spanish.

 
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