Medical Instrument and Equipment Recycling Program (MIERP)
Everyday, some clinic in a developing country is unable to deliver proper medical care secondary to lack of medical instruments or equipment. Though we, as members of the American Medical Student Association (AMSA), may not be able to completely alleviate the problem, we can certainly make a difference. What can we do?
As developing countries are constantly facing a lack of supplies, many of our domestic hospitals and clinics have a surplus of these resources. Much medical equipment is discarded in this country because it is labeled "old" or "no longer needed"; but this equipment is perfectly re-usable. These recycled medical instruments and equipment are greatly needed in developing countries.
As physicians in training, you have direct contact with medical equipment, supplies, and the people that use and discard them. You have the opportunity to explain to your superiors the importance of recycling as much as possible and let them know that you would be willing to make sure this equipment and supplies could be re-used safely in a clinic in a developing country.
You may be thinking that a small amount of supplies from your school will not make a difference. This is a national project, and if every school makes even a small contribution, a great deal of good will be accomplished.
Start a MIERP program at your local chapter.
HOW TO START A MEDICAL INSTRUMENT AND EQUIPMENT RECYCLING PROGRAM
Every school will need to tailor its program to work within the existing infrastructure of their respective institutions. To begin, one or two students should be designated as the MIERP leaders/contacts. These people should then approach the proper administrators within the hospital or clinic and inform them of MIERP's goals and ask for suggestions on ways to accomplish these goals. Many times, there is a special department that deals specifically with the disposal of "old" medical instruments and equipment. It may be difficult to locate at first, but be persistent, and ask lots of people and you will eventually locate the right contact person.
Some students in the past have contacted Surgery departments and arranged deals for all the O.R. nurses and doctors to "recycle" old instruments in plastic barrels, which the students would periodically collect, package, then ship to developing countries. Other students have worked with Ob/Gyn departments that have been willing to donate equipment that had been replaced with newer models. Other students have had much success working with Pediatric and Medicine departments in obtaining general medical equipment and supplies.
There is no one perfect model for you to follow, use the proper channels and resources within your own school. Most students get a positive responsive about the project after they explain that all of this equipment is going to be safely used in a clinic in a developing country.
HOW TO SHIP THE MATERIAL
One of the reasons that make this type of project difficult is the challenge of shipping the supplies overseas. Another concern is making sure they safely make it through customs and actually reach the clinics that are in real need. We have alleviated some of the concern of customs and making sure the supplies are used properly by securing locations abroad, most with a school affiliation, that normally have no trouble receiving medical supplies. Also, the contact people are going to oversee the project and will guarantee the supplies make it to the most needy clinics. If you have contacts at other international clinics, feel free to ship supplies there as well.
The next step is to locate a shipping company that is affordable and efficient. Some suggestions are below, but feel free to come up with your own creative ideas that fit your needs the best.
- United States Postal Service
- Private Shipping Companies (UPS)
- Airline Companies (if you have an airport nearby)
- Send equipment with people that are traveling to the country
- Contact Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) or local Private Volunteer Organizations (PVOs) that are already sending supplies
- Contact the United States Agency on International Development (USAID)
HOW TO OBTAIN FUNDING
The cost of shipping an average size box of supplies is going to be between $150.00-300.00. Money is always one the trickiest parts of any project. However, it should be noted that there are a myriad of resources out there just waiting to be tapped, but the difficult part is finding them. Below is a list of suggestions on how you might possibly fund MIERP at your local chapter:
- Have fundraisers at your school and in the community
- Ask your local AMSA chapter for donations
- Have other student organizations contribute/co-sponsor
- Ask your Student Government for funding
- Apply for an AMSA Local Project Grant (Up to $400.00)-applications on line.
- Search for grants that are aimed at funding similar projects
- Ask local organizations/businesses to sponsor the project
- Talk with local religious organizations
- Work with your International Health Department if present at your school
- Have your classmates donate funds
CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY
Below is a list of countries with the exact addresses as well as a list of supplies that are needed at each specific clinic. Also the contact info (e-mail) for each person is listed. Please e-mail the proper contact before you send the supplies so that they will be expecting the shipment and will be able to let you know when the equipment arrives or any if problems should arise. Also, feel free to use other clinics that you or your school has contacts with.
Uganda
Sr. Victoria Zziwa
Mengo Hospital
Mpereza Ward
PO Box 7161
KAMPALA- Uganda
E. Africa
Supplies Needed: This is a VERY poor clinic; they need "anything" that could be used in a basic primary health clinic.
Nigeria
Prof Kike Osinusi
Department of Paediatrics
University College Hospital
Ibadan
Nigeria
Contact: osinusi@skannet.com
Supplies Needed:
- Endotracheal tubes -all sizes, especially the small sizes for children
- Ambu bags
- Laryngoscopes
- Trucut biopsy needles
- Intravenous cannulae
- Solusets
- Peakflow meter
- Pulse Oximeter
- Salbutamol nebules
Kenya
Contact: Hank Selke, DO
Bill Selke Memorial Clinic
PO Box 459 Bungoma, Kenya
(317) 297-7165
http://www.volunteerkenya.org
Donations: Please put "Of no commercial value. Items to be used at the Bill Selke Memorial Clinic" on any custom forms. This helps us avoid postal fees in Kenya. Besides equipment donations, we welcome any medical students that would like to volunteer in Kenya.Supplies needed:
- BP Monitor
- Blood-Glucose Monitor
- Calorimeter
- Laparoscope
- Centrifuge
- Coulter Counter
- Culture & Sensitivity incubator
- HIV Testing Kits
- L.C.G. monitor
- Ultra Sound
- Microscope(s)
- Oximeter
- Needle destroyer
- Nebulizer
- Operating table and lights
- Anesthesia equipment
- Opthalmoscope(s)
- Otoscope(s)
- Sphygmomanometer(s)
- Syringes
- Spirometer
- EKG Machine
- Stethoscope(s)
- Thermometer
- Sutures
- Autoclave
- X-ray machine
- Vaccine fridge
PROJECT EVALUATION/SUSTAINABILITY
Evaluation is a crucial part of your project. Continuously evaluate the progress of the project and look for ways to improve it. Identify what is working and what is NOT working, and build from there. Ask others for suggestions and ways they think you could improve your project.
Another important part of any type of project is sustainability. To sustain your MIERP, make sure the selected coordinators continue the project throughout their medical school career or new coordinators are selected, and proper transition takes place. Make sure to document everything in writing so that exact details of your local project can be passed on to the next person. This will make the transition much more efficient. Also, continuously look for other sources of funding and supplies.
Good luck with creating, carrying-out, and sustaining your Medical Instrument and Equipment Recycling Program (MIERP) at your local school.