How We Work

As a social enterprise, we receive no government or charity funding. Thus, to continue furthering our positive impact on LMIC healthcare, it is necessary for us to charge for the resources and services we provide. We understand that financing is a key challenge for many projects, so we work with our customers to maximise their budgets, using our gifts in kind model (see below), while providing high quality healthcare resources and solutions.

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Our Business Model

How do we make every budget stretch further? The secret is using our gifts in kind business model,
coupled with carefully sourcing ex-demonstration and donated equipment.
Our gifts in kind model is explained in the graphic below:

Business Model - 1
  1. We calculate the most cost-effective method to ship the required resources for the project and leverage our existing strong relationships with logistics companies to find the best solution.
  2. There is often extra space in the shipping containers after we have packed them. This unused space would typically be wasted and classed as business inefficiency.
  3. We take this space and fill it with gifts in kind at no additional cost. These are tailored to each project and will have clinical relevance. This might include refurbished or ex-demonstration equipment, as well as brand new items.
  4. These gifts in kind are sent to the healthcare facility as part of the shipment, bringing huge benefit
    and cost savings.

Gifts In Kind Explained

Our gifts in kind are carefully chosen to be clinically relevant to each facility in order to bring maximum benefit, showcasing our patient centred mission. Gifts in kind can include:

Donated medical equipment which our highly trained biomedical engineers carefully refurbish (such as oxygen concentrators)

Reusable, every day hospital items (such as surgical linen and gowns)

A selection of new items (such as emergency bags, pulse oximeters, resuscitation equipment)

Furnishings (such as waiting room furniture, office furniture, bins etc.)

Mattresses

Mobility aids (crutches, walking frames and wheelchairs)

Nursing items (stethoscopes, thermometers, blood pressure monitors etc.)

Surgical instruments (a mixture of new and donated)

Consultancy

Medical Aid International offers consultancy services that enable healthcare organisations and professionals in LMICs to drive sustainable change. Our tailored approach addresses the unique challenges faced in resource-limited settings, ensuring that our clients receive comprehensive and effective solutions that always benefit the patient.

A key focus for our projects is ensuring their long-term viability. We take steps to safeguard investments through providing essential, online biomedical engineering training to staff as well as ongoing support.

medaid-logo-round

Could you benefit from consultancy with your next project?

Our 5 Stage Process

We offer a comprehensive consultancy process which carefully guides projects from beginning to end. Our experienced team are there every step of the way.

Consultancy - 2

Site Assessments

Having worked on hundreds of projects globally, we are uniquely qualified to identify existing healthcare system weaknesses and provide solutions. Our WHO inspired site assessment checklist allows us to provide detailed feedback to our customers and offer tailored recommendations. Our dedicated team can carry out this crucial work on site or conduct a remote assessment, allowing us to create a strategic plan for the project.

Strategic Planning

Unlike generic consultancy services, we appreciate the reality and constraints of working in resource limited environments and can advise which solutions and equipment will be best suited to each project. We understand that equipment and strategies which may be applicable for a larger city hospital may not be appropriate for a rural clinic. With this in mind, we develop bespoke strategies which fit the needs of each project, providing practical, context-specific solutions that address the unique needs of our clients, leading to tangible improvements in healthcare infrastructure.

To further support our projects, we provide online biomedical engineering training as a core part of our offerings. Our effective, well-respected course is Assured by City & Guilds, with each graduate receiving a certificate upon completion.

We appreciate that finances are often the limiting factor for projects. Given our specialisation in low resource environments, we know how to complete projects on a tight budget. This allows us to advise our customers about areas where money can be saved and where funds are best prioritised.

Equipment Procurement

Our strong relationships with a multitude of global medical equipment suppliers mean that we are able to secure equipment even when supply chains are disrupted. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic where supplies were extremely limited, we were still able to obtain key medical equipment, PPE, and consumables for our customers.

We also benefit from donations of medical equipment and supplies from the NHS, medical companies, other healthcare institutions, and individuals. After refurbishing this equipment, to ensure all quality and safety standards have been met, we then provide this as part of our projects. The cost savings from this gifts in kind model are passed onto our customers.

Additionally, we offer comprehensive packages which can include an ongoing consumable supply, allowing for budgets to be forecasted accurately. By supplying consumables as well as medical equipment, we reduce the long-term complexity of procurement.

Logistics Expertise

Since 2001 we have been supplying equipment to LMIC and disaster relief environments. Over these two decades, we have built up a valuable global network of key shipping, clearing, and other important contacts. Our longstanding relationships with locals on the ground means that we are able to create effective logistical plans. Leveraging this allows us to ship medical equipment quickly and efficiently across the globe.

Project Management

Medical Aid International has experience of working alongside multi-national NGOs and local charities. We can accommodate long-term multi-million-dollar projects as well as one-time single equipment purchases. Regardless of project size, we are here to help. As part of our comprehensive project
management solution, we can undertake and fully manage any project. Our support can include a site assessment, strategic planning, equipment procurement and delivery, as well as installation (where
appropriate). By combining all other elements of our consultancy service together into a cohesive package, it allows us to take the challenges out of projects and handle their overall management.

Project Advice

We often advise organisations on the practical challenges and limitations of deploying and managing aid projects in these regions. Here are some things to consider.

Let's work together.

One of the easiest ways we can make budgets go a long way is the sensible use of equipment no longer required in the West. This recycling is very effective. Please do contact us for further details if you think you have equipment of any sort that may help.

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