MedShare International

A nonprofit organization that helps Third World nations got an unexpected bonus last week.

Lithonia-based MedShare International, which collects, recycles and ships surplus medical supplies and equipment to economically developing countries, received an extra $100,000 from new benefactor The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation during a ceremony June 30.

"Our work with MedShare will enable us to expand our efforts and the impact of our work in the health care arena in Africa," said Robert Ahomka Lindsay, president of the foundation. "Simply put, this saves lives."

Lindsay was expected to announce a $300,000 five-year award. However, the recipient of MedShare's Executive in Action Award surprised ceremony attendees with additional support.

"I don't know how you thought of it, but it's great," Lindsay said of the 6-year-old organization that has distributed $16 million in goods to 73 countries. "We'll add another $100,000."

Health care facilities in Africa and South America choose the items they need from a database of current inventory. Local mission trips stock up before they depart. Local hospitals help with in-kind donations and volunteer support.

"It means a lot to the people over there," said Rockdale Medical Center Biomedical Engineer Bernard Harp. "What is our trash is someone else's treasure."

The hospital donated more than 4,000 pounds of medical surplus since Harp began volunteering with MedShare in 2002, including an outdated but still serviceable echocardiograph that cost $200,000 when new.

Harp is MedShare's biomedical equipment supervisor, checking on the operable status of items like incubators and fetal monitors.

"I like tinkering with things," said Harp. "It keeps me up on my trouble-shooting skills."

"People in health care love to serve people," said Eric Norwood, president and chief executive officer of DeKalb Medical Center in Decatur. "I've not met a single person who knows about MedShare that wasn't excited about it."

Norwood said the MedShare concept also is logical, creating a win-win scenario for the hospital.

"When we replace equipment, furniture and computers, those are donated," he said of items that would otherwise occupy a landfill.

"The technologies that may seem obsolete in the United States are still functional and welcome in other countries."

For more information, residents may visit medshare.org or call (770) 323-5858.