A LACK of crucial medical equipment at a hospital in a Pakistani town linked with Redditch has prompted an appeal to raise £25,000 to build a trauma centre.

Redditch has formed a friendship link with Gujar Khan from where most of the town's Pakistani community originate.

Recently several members of Redditch Pakistan Community Forum spent almost two months in Gurjar Khan developing the friendship link.

Forum spokesman Perwaiz Khawaja said through donations from the community they had managed to help dozens of needy people.

He added: "We distributed books to 20 schools. The books went to school children selected by the headmaster because they were either poor or orphans".

Clothes and food bought from financial contributions made by the forum have gone towards needy families in Gujar Khan.

Mr Khawaja explained: "The hospital in Gujar Khan has no trauma unit.

"I know of members of the community in Redditch who have gone to Gujar Khan to visit relatives but have fallen ill."

He added: "They have had to travel to a district hospital 35 miles away and some have died due to the lack of medical facilities or delay in receiving urgent treatment."

Hospital bosses in Gujar Khan have drawn up a wish list detailing specific equipment needed, from defibrillators to beds.

"There is no doubt that if we manage to raise the funds, lives will be saved. We especially want to be able to help mothers and babies. The number of women who die during childbirth is alarming," added Mr Khawaja.