ANKARA

Turkey's state-run aid agency lent a helping hand to health institutions in the Southern African country Namibia and South American nation Venezuela.

In a statement, the Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency (TIKA) said that the agency provided equipment to the Clinical Emergency Medical Care and Education Laboratory of the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST).

Investments in health care in Namibia where high rates of maternal and child deaths are experienced, especially due to complications during and after childbirth, have a special place in the five-year development plan, the statement added.

The statement underlined that TIKA provides a large number of intensive care, examination, and training equipment to support the laboratory, which educates 40 students annually.

The devices provided to the institution include a digital electrocardiography (ECG) machine, a defibrillator monitor, a portable ultrasound device, an infusion pump used to administer drugs to patients, and tools such as portable breathing apparatus, the statement read.

In a separate statement, the agency said that Turkey also helped to renew a hospital's burn unit in Venezuela’s capital Caracas.

The unit was made ready for use with medical equipment and devices supplied from Turkey.

At the request of the authorities of the Venezuelan Ministry of Health, Turkey repaired, renovated, and provided equipment to Dr. Jesus Yerena Hospital, according to the statement.

TIKA made the installation of a variety of equipment and devices obtained from Turkey, the it added.

Established in 1992, Turkey’s government-run aid agency is responsible for implementing Turkey's developmental cooperation policies overseas.

“Focusing on development cooperation, TIKA works in more than 150 countries, including the ones where their offices are located,” according to the agency’s website.

*Writing by Handan Kazanci