Advancing Global Health and Sustainability
Courtesy of Medwish International
Quality Donations
Our goal is to eliminate double standards regarding the quality of products used to treat patients. If the quality of an item is unacceptable in the donor country, it is also unacceptable as a donation
To accomplish this, the MSA and its partners support the World Health Organization's Core Principles for Donations and follow the MSA Code of Conduct Standards to prevent inappropriate donations.
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Donations should benefit the recipient and meet the needs of the end-users and patient.
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Recipients should be engaged in all stages of the donation process in order to enable effective coordination and collaboration between the donor and the recipient.
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Donations should be given with due respect for the wishes and authority of the recipient, and in conformity with the government policies, regulatory requirements and administrative arrangements of the recipient country.
The Code of Conduct and Standards, first published in 2013, includes best practices for receiving, sorting, repairing, packaging, and shipping new or used medical products. They also provided a foundation for the MSA Accreditation Program requirements.
The Code of Conduct is organized into seven sections, each with supporting standards and performance elements used to determine adherence to the standard.
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Organizational Effectiveness
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Needs Assessment
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Quality and Quantity
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Logistics
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Monitoring and Evaluation
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Emergency Situations
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Disposal
What are innappropriate medical product donations?
Inappropriate medical product donations refer to donations of medical supplies or equipment that are either unusable, expired, or not needed in the recipient's context.
These donations can cause more harm than good and may exacerbate existing healthcare challenges in the recipient community.
Here are some common issues associated with inappropriate medical product donations:
Expired or Near-Expired Products: Donating expired or near-expired medical products for clinical use can pose serious health risks to patients. Some products may have degraded efficacy or even be harmful if used beyond their expiration date. These products can be used for training or skill buidling in nursing, medical, veternary and phlebotomy training programs.
Mismatched Supply and Demand: Donations that do not align with the specific needs of the recipient community can lead to a surplus of certain products while critical items remain scarce. This mismatch can disrupt local healthcare systems and waste valuable resources.
Lack of Proper Infrastructure: Some medical products require specialized infrastructure, training, or maintenance that may not be available in the recipient's healthcare facilities. Donating such products without ensuring the necessary support infrastructure can render them unusable or ineffective.
Cultural and Religious Sensitivities: Donations that disregard cultural or religious sensitivities can be inappropriate and disrespectful. For example, donating medical equipment that conflicts with local beliefs or practices may lead to rejection or underutilization.
Inefficient or Ineffective Products: Donating products that are outdated or not in line with current medical practices can be inefficient and ineffective. This includes donating obsolete equipment or medications that are no longer recommended for use.
To address these issues, it's essential for donors to engage in responsible donation practices. This involves conducting thorough needs assessments, coordinating with local healthcare authorities, ensuring product quality and suitability, providing appropriate training and support, and establishing long-term partnerships for sustainable healthcare improvement.