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Roof-Dedication Ceremony

February 7, 2001

Invitation for Media
 
WHAT: Roof-Dedication Ceremony

WHERE: Šiaulių Hospital Therapeutical Building, Kudirkos 99 (Foyer)

WHEN:  Friday, February 9, 2001 at 15:10 – 15:25 hrs

CONTACT:    Dr. Petras Simavičius, Director of Šiaulių Hospital Tel.(8-21) 524-291 or

Imsrė Sabaliūnas Brūzgienė: U.S. Embassy, Media Specialist, (8-22-660-330)

February 8, 2001-  Upon the invitation of the Director of Šiaulių Hospital, Dr. Petras Simavičius, the U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania John Tefft will make his first visit to Šiauliai to take part in a roof-dedication ceremony at the hospital’s Therapeutical Building on February 9, 2001 at 15:00 hrs.  The new roof was made possible by a grant of approximately $50,000 from the United States European Command’s Humanitarian Assistance Program.  In Lithuania, this program is administered by Major Paige Thorner, Chief of the U.S. Embassy’s Office of Defense Cooperation. 

Following a public bid, UAB Medinge, a construction company from Kuršėnai, was selected to renovate the roof of the Therapeutical Building, a job that was accomplished a few months ago in a two-month period.  The old slate roof was replaced by modern and energy-efficient Rannila tin plates.  

The U.S. government has allocated $80,000 for the next Humanitarian Assistance Program project- the reconstruction and full renovation of the Cardiology Intensive Care Unit of Šiauliai hospital.

The Office of Defense Cooperation has worked closely with the Lithuanian Ministry of Health on identifying areas in which assistance is most needed.  Last year the hospital in Tauragė was also the beneficiary of the Humanitarian Assistance Program.  In Taurage, funds were used to replace old bathrooms, kitchens and showers with new modern facilities.  Additional funding was also provided for purchase of an elevator that is currently being installed.  Since 1999, when the Humanitarian Assistance Program began to operate in Lithuania, the U.S. government has dedicated more than $410,000 in support of assistance projects in this country.