EBME Forums Forums Free discussion Free discussion The Big Society

Geoff, I think we may be able to assist to a degree with support through one or 2 of our laboratories worldwide

Note I say "may" cause sometimes there's more politics in and around some "not for profit" outfits than th UK government

For support in Africa you can contact infosa@bioclinworld.com
For elsewhere worldwide you can contact info@bioclinworld.net

Noted (with thanks).

Yes ... there's too much "politics" involved in the Charity Scene. It usually gets in the way of getting the real job done. Just as "religion" does (to my mind, at least)!

But the main problem, as always, is (lack of) funding. Equipment gets donated ... then there is no money available for tech support, repairs etc.

There are two aspects involved in the tech support of donated medical equipment:-

1) Preparation prior to shipping
2) Continuing support at site

My ideas for supporting kit sent overseas have included "partnering" with techs already in-country. Some of those guys are well known to this forum. As I have mentioned before, I believe that it is best that aid recipients fend for themselves, supported as necessary from outside. In the long term, dependency helps no-one.

We had (still have, as far as I am aware) a problem with a machine in East Africa, and a friend (again, a member of this forum) agreed to get involved. But the whole thing has snarled up since he presented his cost estimates. No money in the kitty (or so it would seem)!

It's the same old story. How to repair kit on a zero budget. Is it even possible? I've been at it now for a couple of years, and (to be honest) have come to question the whole point of my involvement. OK, I've scrounged up some kit, and even managed to fix a few items, some of which have been sent out (and hopefully put to good use). But I still can't help thinking - "there has to be a better way"!

You could try to tap-in to the Bill Gates-Warren Buffet fund, convincing Bill Gates to sponsor medical equipment rather than laptops may be the answer.

Geoff, send me a pm with the details on this unit and where it is located as well as a rundown of the situation, both political and problem with the unit...

We have 2 guys going up east soon. "If" they are to be in close proximity to the site involved, I'll see if anything can be done.

Just a note though, I got a bit disillusioned on my last outing with a charity org and have serious reservations about them as you may have noted in my previous reply....

Actually Neil (and as I may have mentioned before), I believe that laptops (one for every child, and efforts like that) and universal internet access is the answer!

You know, "leveling the playing field", "light from the darkness" and all that good stuff.

I'll do that, Jandre.

But at the moment I'm waiting to hear back from two parties:-

1) Our Friend in East Africa
2) My other Friend the Donor

It is the Donor whose "name is in the frame" to stump up the money to have the machine repaired. But as the guy runs a Charity - cash-strapped, of course - well, I guess you get the picture!

I also have serious reservations, but remain frustrated that so much good kit, desperately needed, is going to waste. And then, once on site, often sitting unrepaired once it fails.

On a personal note I'm wondering whether (for all the difference I make) I should continue at all ... either that or go for it 100%, including fund raising and all the rest. But I haven't yet given up on the "partnering" idea.

Meanwhile, I admit to feeling humbled by the passion, commitment and courage of others in the Charity Game (and I'm thinking immediately here of recent murderous events in Afghanistan). As it says on the Bridge Afghanistan blog - "Doing Something is Better than Nothing"!

I know that a laptop for every child (with free internet access) is good, but I do think that that they deserve access to good medical facilities as well. Problem is and will always be the "leaders" of these counties who do not distribute the wealth to their own people.

Yes Neil ... but once every young person has unfettered access to the internet, and therefore the power (right there in their hands) to winkle out the Truth for themselves, perhaps (as in, just maybe) we shall begin to see things put to rights. We (well, me at least) live in hope!

However ... don't hold your breath on that one. The younger generations of folk in the UK do have (and have had for quite a while) ready access to information, but I haven't noticed much "manning of the barricades" going on just yet!

But, there again, folk in Africa and other parts of the world don't get their mouths stuffed with "benefits", do they? So, yes, hope remains ... for Africa et al at least.

Meanwhile the President of Pakistan has dined at Chequers ... and, no doubt, picked up his Cheque!

Is this the sort of thing implied by the notion of the "Big Society"?

"It's OK," he said. "Not a problem." He had a warm smile on his face and true compassion in his eyes. He was a good man for its own sake and required nothing in return.

"I wish I had some way to thank you," I said. "I appreciate what you've done."

"Not a problem," he said again. "But if you feel the need to thank me, the next time you see someone in trouble, you help them out. That will pay me back amply."

"Tell them to pay you back the same way, and very soon the world will be a better place."

Harping back to the opening post to this thread ...


... come on guys, forget governments, and the Big Organisations (that's all "politics") ... we have to do this stuff for ourselves.

On a personal note, I learned today of the premature death (yes, over Christmas) of a guy I used to know. He was a decent bloke. A family man. This just serves to remind me that time is short, and we have (all of us) to count our blessings, and make a difference whilst we still can.

So far what I said has been right, I haven't been overwhelmed ... but on yet another "slow news" weekend, I'm bumping this topic back into play, just in case someone else has something to say.

Thinking about it a bit more since my original post, I realise that my "plans" should also make room for mentoring youngsters who perhaps have been denied opportunities hitherto (for all sorts of reasons), mentoring them (something else I have touched on before), and encouraging them to embrace the world of work in general, and biomed in particular.