By Kim Jacobson
Ranger-Review Staff Writer
Glendive Medical Center recently made a donation to an organization which provides medical supplies to areas in need world wide.
Old operating tables, an incubator, a birthing bed, operating room lights, and other outdated medical supplies such as expired IV solutions were donated to Provision International for use in other countries.
GMC Executive Director of Ancillary Services Todd Opp noted other countries don¹t have the governing laws the United States has for items like IV solutions, and having solution considered outdated in the U.S. is better than none at all for many of the hospitals in need.
Opp said donations were equipment that the hospital has already replaced because it is obsolete. The equipment could not be used at another facility and had no trade in value. Rather than dispose of the equipment the hospital donated it so others could get some use out of it.
³When this equipment arrives the people will cry,² Provision International president Richard Larson said. He added he wants to thank hospital for their generosity.
Provision International is an organization that helps finish and repair buildings as well as provides supplies to countries in need.
When communism fell about 11 years ago the infrastructure of the medical field in those countries fell apart. This is a pilot project to help rebuild in those countries.
One example of how donated equipment is used involves incubators sent to Africa. Many areas currently use drop lights and cardboard boxes so the donation of an incubator is a tremendous help.
This is the first donation by the hospital to Provision International. For information on the organization visit www.provisioninternational.org. |
"When this equipment arrives the people will cry" |
Del Sharbono(left) from Helena, Darrel Dick(middle) from Harlowton
and Lyle Hostetler from Helena help load donated equipment.
|