Health care charitable institution the Georgia Baptist Health Care Ministry Foundation announced on Friday that it has donated over USD3.6m to 51 non-profit organisations across Georgia in support of health care programmes across the state.

The non-profit organisations include charitable care in Grant Park (Atlanta) and a county health centre in Decatur, as well as rural medical/dental clinics, pregnancy centres and substance abuse programmes in Columbus, Hazlehurst, Jasper and Albany, received a grant from the Foundation.

According to the Foundation, the grants are allocated to medical clinics and pregnancy centres to purchase new equipment, for improving patient care; to operate free clinics and provide health services for uninsured and low-income families, as well as to the Georgia Baptist Children's Homes and Family Ministries organisation and Penfield Addiction Ministries, both of which provide a range of health services to the public.

Each September, the Georgia Baptist Health Care Ministry Foundation accepts grant proposals, which are then reviewed and selected by the foundation's board. The awards are presented each February to the recipients. Grants are provided to both religious and secular organizations to help people of Georgia receive needed care.