How to Donate Medical Supplies to Developing Countries

Are you wondering how you can donate medical supplies to third world countries? If YES, here are 10 organizations that can help you.

Third world countries, especially those in Africa, carry and enormous share of the disease burden of the world from HIV/AIDS to high blood pressure and now to Covid-19. In these countries, funding for healthcare is grossly inadequate and many of the small private clinics serving the huge population are struggling to meet demands due to lack of medical equipment as well as finances.

According to reports, the result of this situation is that these countries lack even the basic medical facilities and hundreds and thousands of people die every day.

A good number of health facilities especially in Rural Africa suffer from a lack of medical supplies at their clinics and primary healthcare rooms. Even the government facilities lack adequate infrastructure. Newly born kids are kept on chairs due to the lack of proper hospital beds.

Although a good number of people donate funds via different NGOs to these developing countries, it is not making enough impact on the lives of people in third world countries. The lack of basic amenities, facilities, funds, and proper infrastructure is impeding the quality of care offered to the population.

Have it in mind that donating medical equipment and supplies like wheelchair, medicines and different machines and equipment would enable the health centres in most third world countries to perform procedures on patients. This will help patients in these countries survive, and the overall health facilities will improve.

Steps To Donate Medical Supplies to Third World Countries

Most third world countries are dependent on donor assistance to meet the demand for medical equipment in their hospitals and clinics.

However, most of the donors in the United States don’t know how to and where to donate medical equipment, they end up throwing the used equipment away and the equipment gets piled up in the junkyard. Follow these 5 steps to donate medical equipment for the maximum benefit of people in third world countries:

1. Gather Stuff

If you are an individual or a medical equipment manufacturing organization, with unused or unexpired medical equipment, you will have to assess and gather them together.

2. Give Them A Look Over

Have it in mind that the equipment to be donated is expected to be in a usable condition and should not be just a junk that you want to get off your home/company. Take your time to ensure that all parts of the equipment are in good working condition.

3. Call an NGO/ Non-profit organization to schedule a pickup

Truthfully, there are numerous organizations that work to supply medical equipment in third world countries. Pick the organization as per your wish and try to read reviews about their work online. Once you have picked the NGO, call them for equipment pick up or drop off the equipment at their warehouse.

4. Take Receipt

Don’t ever forget to take the receipt of the NGO you have donated your product to. This will ensure that you are donating to an organization that is government approved and will be used for a good cause.

5. Follow Up

Remember to keep in touch with the organization you have donated your product to. Ask them about their work and how your donated product was used. Have it in mind that this follow up will give you a sense of satisfaction and you will want to donate again in the future.

Organizations That Accept Medical Supplies to Donate to Third World Countries

If you have medical supplies to donate, please contact the organizations below prior to shipping any materials to ensure your donation can be utilized. The following organizations accept medical equipment contributions for medical outreach efforts.

1. International Medical Equipment Collaborative (IMEC)

This NGO distributes donated medical equipment, supplies, and support services to doctors, nurses, and technologists working in hospitals, clinics, and orphanages in underserved locations worldwide.

2. International Aid

International Aid Mission Resource Center supplies missionaries with clothing, food, over-the-counter medications, surgical items, and personal care products.

3. LIFE for Relief and Development

LIFE works to offer assistance to people across the globe by offering humanitarian services such as healthcare and education, as well as catering to casualties of social and economic turmoil, victims of hunger, natural disasters, war, and other catastrophes.

4. InterVol, Recycling of Unused Medical Supplies (RUMS)

InterVol’s RUMS program saves medical supplies and equipment that otherwise would be destroyed and make them available to overseas hospitals and medical clinics that lack access to these badly needed resources.

 5. Central American Medical Outreach (CAMO)

CAMO provides medical equipment, community service, supplies, and training to the impoverished regions of Central America.

6. MedWish International

This non-profit organization specializes in the recovery, recycling, and redistribution of medical supplies and equipment for humanitarian relief.

7. Direct Relief International

Direct Relief International is working to strengthen the in-country health efforts of its partners by providing essential material resources, medicines, supplies, and equipment.

8. MAP International

MAP International is a global leader in supplying clinics and hospitals in developing countries with essential medicines. The MAP Travel Pack Program offers an assortment of the most critically needed medicines and medical supplies ideal for short-term teams, doctors, nurses, and/or church mission groups.

9. MedShare International

MedShare collects surplus medical supplies and used equipment from U. S. hospitals and manufacturers. They process the donated material and make it available to hospitals and clinics overseas in two ways: 1) supplying medical mission teams and 2) direct shipments to international applicant institutions

10. Project C.U.R.E.

Project C.U.R.E. is a humanitarian relief organization that collects medical supplies and equipment and donates it to developing countries.

C.U.R.E. Kit is a specially prepared box, containing an assortment of medical supplies, medications, and instruments, designed to be hand-carried by a short-term medical team for international use. The purpose is to provide the most common medical and surgical items needed by a short-term medical team.

Conclusion

Indeed, third world countries lack even the basic medical facilities and hundreds and thousands of people die every day.

If you want this situation to improve, try to donate medical equipment. Just type ‘donate medical equipment near me’ and you will get a list of NGOs and organizations where you can donate the used but unexpired medical equipment and devices.