Global Surgery & Anesthesia

This subject was discussed at the Uganda North America Medical Society Meeting in April by a biomed technician who had spent time in Uganda clearing out rooms full of inappropriate donated equipment. Partnership should not include off loading obsolete equipment to take a tax break!
The presenter gave a useful check-list which I cannot lay my hand on, but hopefully someone can. It included
Listen to your partners and find out their needs
Robust high quality surgical instruments which can be sharpened if needed
Up to date manual and/or online manual. Preferably downloaded and printed before the equipment is shipped
Make sure the equipment doesn't have some snazzy disposable component costing a lot and likely unobtainable in Rwanda
Same applies to drugs and anesthetic agents
Shipping and import formalities can be a headache. You need a local champion who will tell you the score on this.
Find out what Biomed engineering support there will be after your mission.

I would add: take CDs not books. Prepare one or more with all your favorite electronic resources downloaded onto it. Get help with the language. French may be more widely used than English for medical communication and education.

Hi Norm, i am working in a non-profit organization in India. It is a teaching institute and serves critically sick and injured children. If you happen to extend help and support to this country, please keep in mind.

Norm- that's great- are you working with a specific hospital or organization?
Using equipment that can be purchased locally can facilitate long term use and the development of partnerships between the equipment company and the facility. This can come in handy when equipment breaks down or is need of upgrades or just additional components.

Norm,
As you have probably already discovered, helping out with supply and organization of anything in East Africa can be challenging...
I have spent time trying to help organize equipment donations and biomedical support for the past 5 years at Mulago Hospital in Kampala and would be happy to share more about my experiences there.
The WHO publishes guidelines on appropriate equipment donations.
A few questions to help guide my response:
-What type of hospital will this be...private?
-What has been identified as "needed"?
-Where will you acquire the equipment and how will you transport it?
-Can you buy the equipment locally?
-Who will support the equipment once there?
-Power supply, parts support, etc are they local?
I will post a link to the WHO guidelines asap.
More soon.
Mike