MedShare International

Robert Ahomka Lindsay glanced at the large wall map behind and counted the number of red thumbtacks showing where medical supplies and equipment have been delivered to Africa.

That just wouldn't do, he thought to himself.

So in a matter of minutes, Lindsay, president of the Coca-Cola Africa Foundation, upped the amount of a $300,000 grant to MedShare International by $100,000.

"I want to see a dot in every one of those [African] countries," said Lindsay, who mentioned his own roots growing up in a Ghanaian village — now a small town — that still does not have running water today. "This saves lives, and we want to do more."

The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation and MedShare have formed a five-year partnership to distribute supplies and equipment to hospitals on the continent.

Health care — specifically combating the spread of HIV/AIDS and polio — is a key focus of the foundation's work, said Lindsay, who is also vice president of public affairs and communications for the Coca-Cola Co. in Africa. The foundation also tackles such issues as education and the environment.

"When you see the faces of recipients, how can you not be moved? It is money well spent," Lindsay said during an event at MedShare's headquarters in Lithonia, where he was honored as the "2004 Executive in Action."

The first-year allotment of $70,000 is being used to ship four 40-foot containers filled with medical supplies and equipment to the West African nations of Liberia and Sierra Leone, both of which have suffered from years of war.

The first container of supplies, which includes surgical instruments, bandages and splints, was recently delivered to Buchanan Hospital in Buchanan, Liberia. The hospital has a capacity of 50 beds and falls far short of the need. Last year, about 45,000 people requested services at the hospital, according to Nell Diallo, managing director of MedShare. Three other containers to Liberia and Sierra Leone will be sent in the fall.

MedShare collects and recycles surplus medical supplies and equipment from hospitals and manufacturers and redistributes them mostly in less developed nations. Since its founding in 1998, the organization has sent nearly $17 million worth of supplies and equipment, either directly or by supplying medical mission teams.

MedShare co-founder and Chief Executive Officer A.B. Short said the collaboration with the Coca-Cola Africa Foundation will allow much depper penetration in Africa. This is MedShare's first project in Liberia.

The Coca-Cola Co. and its bottlers are the largest private employers in Africa. The foundation was established in 2001 and is based in Swaziland. It manages and funds Coca-Cola's community initiatives in Africa. The foundation has committed $50 million for community work in Africa over the next few years.