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 Packing a 40’ container with certain medical supplies is an excellent
way to provide low cost consumables for health clinics in Congo. It
also provides a method of transporting purchased equipment such as
microscopes, surgical instruments, diagnostic equipment and other much
needed items.
Our hospitals and clinics throw away a lot of good ‘junk’ and we wonder if this waste could be put to use in developing countries. Unfortunately, much of the disposed equipment is unusable overseas making shipping and transportation a waste of resources. For instance, modern laboratory equipment is too expensive and complicated to run. Instruments that don’t work here will not work there. Small broken machines will not be fixed because the expertise or parts do not exist. The good news is, a number of things we through away in the developing world are very valuable.
What kinds of materials are needed?
Medical supply: Scalpel blades, scalpel blades, sutures (can be out of sterile pack), tape, gloves (sterile and non-sterile), dressing materials, plaster (not fibreglass), syringes, needles, catheters, spinal needles (not epidural)...
Diagnostic equipment: Stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs, thermometers, oto and ophthalmoscopes...
Electronic equipment: Oxygen concentrators, ECG machines 3 lead and 12 lead and oxygen saturation monitors. They must be in working order! Larger items like x-ray machines and ultrasound can be useful but should be discussed with an experienced person.
Lab equipment: Glassware, balances, containers, microscopes and other simple pieces of equipment.
Surgical & procedural instruments: Items that can be reused multiple times such as stainless steal operating instruments. Ask advice before donating big items like tables and beds.
Computers: Computers must have at least a pentium II processor installed. Other accessories are useful only if they work. There is little high tech help in developing countries!
Books & Journals (English or French): Books should be no more than 10 years old, unless they are good reference books. Journals must have been published within the last 4 years. Items on CD ROM are welcome.
What kinds of material are NOT needed?
Instruments: highly specialized instruments, one-time use kits, laporoscopy and endoscopy
Furniture: beds (only gurneys are useful), operating table (unless light weight),
Medical supply: specialized dressing materials, walkers, epidural needles, fibreglass, feeding tubes, broken instruments, endoscopic accessories, central lines and other disposable procedural kits.
Educational materials: old books and journals
Electronic equipment: consult before giving any electronic equipment. Much of the equipment used here will not run in the DRC.
Other: disposable gowns and drapes, diapers (particularly adult), feminine pads
What about medication?
Medications are not allowed in on the containers except for antiseptics. Individual doctors travelling into the country should bring in drugs through the airport (box labelled as drugs with unexpired medication). Expired medications are of no use. Sample packs are bulky and usually made of medication rarely used in the DRC. A list of medications used in the DRC is available.
How should they be collected?
Churches and communities can collect things or arrange transport to organizations that specialize in collection and packaging.
Project Cure: 9055 E. Mineral Circle, Suite 110, Centennial, CO 80112, 303-792-0729, general@projectcure.org
International Aid: 17011 W Hickory, Spring Lake, Michigan 49456-9712 USA, (616) 846.7490, Fax: (616) 846.3842, (800) 251.2502
Canadian Food for the Hungry International: 1800-667-0605
Shipping costs
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$10,000
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Custom fees
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$3,000
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Port to Kinshasa transport
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$2,000
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MBMSI fees (7.5%)
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$1,125
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TOTAL US$
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$16,125
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TOTAL Can$ 1.19
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$19,189
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Action plan: After items are collected, packed into a container and sent, all the items will be sorted and shelved at CEPECC (protestant depot). MB clinics will have first chance at purchasing items at 30% IDA prices (details available) which helps pay for CEPECC services. Special packages designated for certain clinics and hospitals will be sent pending funding for inland transportation.
TOTAL PROJECT NEED: $16,125 USD per container
| Project P0055 |
Congo Health & Development |
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