Who benefits from the Medical Aid ministry?
North Okanagan Gleaners sends medical supplies and equipment to developing countries.
What types of medical equipment are gathered?
NOV Gleaners collects and ships a wide variety of supplies: including linens, wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds and expired medical consumables such as bandages, compresses and dressings.
Where do the medical supplies come from?
Supplies and equipment are donated privately, through clinics, care homes and hospitals.
Why ship old supplies around the globe?
The equipment and supplies may be superseded by new technology here in North America, yet is still perfectly acceptable in other parts of the globe. In most cases, areas that receive these medical shipments simply do not have the supplies available in any other way.
How does the equipment get cleaned and packaged?
Equipment is generally already cleaned and sterile when donated and is in good working order. The exception is with wheelchairs which are sent away for refurbishment before going overseas.
When do donations come in?
Donations are received year round, and there are scheduled pickups from clinics, care homes and hospitals. Budget year-end at hospitals tend to be busy times though, when there are increased amounts of equipment replacements and planned phasing-out of older equipment.
Why not use these donations for domestic needs within North America?
Some equipment is deemed no longer suitable for use in first-world countries, are mandated to be sent overseas by industry manufacturing regulations. In any case, the supplies and equipment are welcomed by those receiving them.