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by Nancy Koziol
A doctor at the Enugu State University Teaching
Hospital in Nigeria examines a newborn he
delivered using MedShare gloves.
During 2007, MedShare and Emory Healthcare expanded their
long-term partnership, taking the typical role of a hospital – a
source of medical supplies and equipment – one step further. Emory
Healthcare provided the financial sponsorship for a forty-foot
MedShare container, demonstrating once again its sincere commitment
to improve health, conserve environmental resources, and help the
global community.
MedShare has more than 100 collection points throughout the country,
including Emory Healthcare, which has 30 bright blue MedShare
barrels throughout its hospitals and clinics. Emory employees direct
surplus supplies suitable for donation into these barrels. Between
March and July of 2007, Emory Healthcare contributed more than
32,000 pounds of medical supplies and equipment, and employees
logged more than 200 volunteer hours at MedShare, sorting and
packing supplies. Furthermore, the entire Emory Healthcare staff was
invited to select the destination of this particular shipment.
The end result of this amazing effort was a forty-foot container
benefitting three Nigerian hospitals: two university teaching
hospitals in Enugu State, and one hospital in Cross River State.
These two states have the highest infant mortality rates in Nigeria,
and one goal of the MedShare shipment is to help reduce this human
tragedy. The Nigerian Women’s Association of Georgia (NWAG) assisted
with the logistics of the delivery to the recipient institutions.
Upon arrival of the container in February, each of the recipient
hospitals had an official public handing over ceremony, with members
of the community and government officials invited to the events. At
the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, where the ceremony was
televised, Dr. Gershon Ejeckam, who helped coordinate the project,
handed over the shipment in a presentation to Dr. P. Udeh, the chief
medical director. A hand-signed banner expressing the enthusiasm and
support of the Emory Healthcare community accompanied the shipment
and was presented at the ceremony.
A banner expressing the support of Emory
Healthcare employees hangs outside during
the ESUT Hospital presentation.
In past years, other partner hospitals that have provided
financial support for MedShare shipments have included Atlanta
Medical Center, North Fulton Regional Hospital, Northside Hospital,
Piedmont Hospital, and Saint Joseph’s Hospital. The recent
collaboration on the container to Nigeria leverages the strengths of
MedShare, and partners like Emory Healthcare, the NWAG, and overseas
hospitals and government officials, and creates a strong model to
address worldwide healthcare issues. Dr. Ejeckam put it best: “I now
declare this venture a success.”
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Shipment Update
During the month of February, MedShare International shipped containers filled
with vital medical supplies and equipment to healthcare institutions in
different countries. The recipients were:
- Belize
Advanced Healthcare Services
- Various Partner Countries
Gleaning for the World Partner Institutions
- Jamaica
Food For The Poor
- Kenya
St. Mary's Mission Hospital
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