EBME Forums Forums Maintenance Spare Parts used X-ray machine wanted

I expect there are literally tonnes of decent used x-ray systems lying around the Kingdom, Nick. Plenty of old junk too, especially in older MOH hospitals and clinics. How about putting down some of that money you’ve been squirreling away and set up a business? For instance, you might be able to off-load at one or other of the private clinics that have shot up everywhere (in Riyadh, especially – surely by now the “medical city of the Middle East”?). But how about dragging them across to Jebel Ali and shipping world-wide from there? Think on, Mate!

Dear Mr.Abakar
When you say x-ray machine.You have to give the spec you are looking for (same is mensioned by Mr.Jeoff but you didnt answer just give a thanks to him).If you want a clear reply to your question you need to give the following details.
1.Portable/Fixed unit?
2.kV ( 100kV,120kV etc)?
3.mA ( 60mA,100mA,300mA,500mA etc)?
4.With fluro/without fluro (with Image intensifier/Screen)?
5.With table /without table/manual/Motorised?
6.With Chest stand/Without Chest stand?
7.with bucky /without bucky/Manual/motorised)?
8.Different tubes (Thoshiba/Varian/Siemens/BEL etc)?
7.Single pulse/multy pulse ,High Frequency etc?

reasonable price will vary based on the above factors. Mr.Jeoffs idea of thinking in terms of a new machine from India, Korea or China is fine.Now these countries are manufacturing Latest technology X-Ray machines( High Frequency)too with the help of US and europian technologies and selling it to europe with affordable prices.
If you are planing for a reasonably good X-Ray unit plan with a new machine.Old unit will always leave you with troubles if it is not reconditioned properly.
Best of luck!
Regards
Sajeev

Is it possible to export scraps / old equipment from kingdom with out the export licence? I think there is a tough policy on export system..

Dear Sajeev,

I forwarded all the information and the advices to one of my friend doctor who is interested in x-ray machines; actually he wants to deliver the machine to Sudan. At the moment I am waiting for him to reply. Once I receive his response, I will then forward it to the EBME forum.

Dear Abakar
Thanks for the reply.Please keep the above mentioned points in mind before procuring X-Ray units.
Best Regards
Sajeev

Thanks for your letter Abakar, I too am waiting for someone else to respond to me. Now that you say the doctor wants it for Sudan, I am curious as to why he should be looking for troublesome second-hand equpment when Sudan now has very big reserves of the "Black Gold" (oil) and money / gifts should be flowing easily!

Funny that, I was approached by a surgeon from Sudan just the other day basically begging for surplus equipment to send/take back to Khartoum. I gave him the usual speil about the need for technical skills at his end. As I’ve probably mentioned before, I’ve actually seen the results (disappointment, shall we say) of sending out faulty/incomplete/lacking in technical documentation/spare parts/ accessories etc., etc. equipment to countries in need. I have even volunteered my own services at both ends of the journey on many occasions (with no takers, I might add). These days I am very sceptical about donating equipment. Does it make people feel good, salve the conscience, or what? The last thing Khartoum needs is yet another pile of junk (oil-rich, or not). What it really needs is people to go out there and lend a hand. Let’s be practical, guys, and not end up makings things worse!

Oh dear, I was rather hoping that would have stirred things up a bit.

Yours, Disappointed, London.

Geoff, you are very right, and only this year I was asked to send our nearly 20-year old linear accelerator out to Sudan. I told them quite frankly that it was going to cauase them more problems than it was worth even though I would go and work in my spare time doing exactly what you (and I) have done on many occasions in the past in developing countries. But there is a market it seems and I suppose that the resourcefulness of the technical 'locals' in these places to pull out rabbits from hats where, by our standards, rabbits would normally have perished before being taken out, is to be reckoned with. Quite where safety comes into things once up and running, I would shudder to think on it! By the way, where is Jebbel Ali?? or am I being (as ususal) a bit slow on the up-take here?

Your quote "what it really needs are people to go out and lend a hand" is true enough, particularly if they can afford to go for a decent period of time to teach others what they know! Few can afford the luxury I fear of dedicating a few years here and there during a life-time even though perhaps we should do.

In Dubai Nick.
But then, you were never one of us scuba bores - were you