ISLAMABAD, Nov 26: Hollywood star Brad Pitt here on Saturday announced donation of 40 orthopaedic beds to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) which has been struggling to cope with thousands of seriously injured patients since the October 8 earthquake.

He decided to fund the beds worth over $100,000 after seeing the devastation in the Allai valley, Balakot and Muzaffarabad.

“These people have suffered so much; but they have such tremendous spirit,” he said. “I’m really moved by the relief efforts and the community spirit, and very happy to be able to help the victims in some way.”

Mr Pitt, visiting Pakistan with UNHCR goodwill ambassador Angelina Jolie, met Pims Executive Director Dr Fazle Hadi to finalize details of the donation. The hospital now counts 654 amputees among its patients from the earthquake, which killed more than 73,000 people and left an equal number seriously injured.

“We told the UNHCR a few days ago that we urgently needed 40 special orthopaedic beds for the survivors with spinal injuries,” said Dr Hadi.

He said these special beds used electronics and hydraulics to move and turn the patients in every way.

He told Mr Pitt, “We did not expect to get a response so soon, and we are extremely grateful for your prompt and generous offer.”

On the last day of their three-day visit to the quake zone, Mr Pitt and Ms Jolie helped airlift and distribute food rations to villagers in Jabel Sharoon situated 6,000 feet above sea level.—Staff Reporter