Tools 4 Techs – Supporting Biomeds in Low Resource Countries

Product Description

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Supporters

Various studies have estimated that about 40% of the medical equipment in resource-poor settings is out of service. This project is a result of recognition of the many difficulties faced by biomedical staff in these countries.

Although hospitals in resource-poor countries may have staff responsible for maintaining their medical equipment, in many cases these staff have not been provided with adequate tools or workspace to perform effectively. As a result they are unable to perform many repairs that would be quite simple with the proper tools. This erodes their credibility in the Health system, and their value is not well understood. Much needed equipment (some studies say as much as 40% in these countries) sits idle as a result, and patients are denied essential treatment.

We will use the funds raised to purchase tools in the local marketplace where the Biomeds are working. This will also help to support the local economy. To assure transparency, funds will be transferred to a third party from a developed country who is working as a volunteer in the local health system. The need for tools and the tools purchased by our project will be documented by photos and videos which will be posted on our web site (tools4techs.ca)

Although the need is enormous, our goal is to provide tools where most needed. Well-equipped Biomeds will then be able to demonstrate their value to the health system. We hope this will lead to other Biomed units in the same health system receiving improved recognition and funding, leading to fewer items of equipment sitting idle, and more patients receiving the care they need.

In our initial fundraising campaign, we are aiming to raise $5,000. The campaign is run entirely by volunteers, so our overhead costs are minimal, and relate to the cost of hosting the web site, and any service charges for electronic funds transfers.

We will be identifying Biomeds who have the greatest need by asking them to send us a video in which they describe their current working situation. You can see several of these videos from our pilot project on the project web site (www.tools4techs.ca). When we send funds for the purchase of tools, we ask for a second video to document what was purchased, and how the tools will be used. Currently the funding sent to each qualifying biomed will be CAD$500 (approximately USD$390).

Gordon Jasechko

5 months ago

$100

Rebecca Austman

1 year ago

$50

Kelly Hadfield

1 year ago

$100

william gentles

1 year ago

$100

Martin Poulin

1 year ago

$100

Pavel Astrakhantsev

2 years ago

$100

Gordon Jasechko

2 years ago

$200

Gordon Jasechko

3 years ago

$25

Larry Cortez

4 years ago

$100

CHIH-HUNG HUANG

4 years ago

$25

Anonymous

4 years ago

$25

Debbie Tschopp

4 years ago

$25

Don Ferrario

4 years ago

$25

Elizabeth Theis

5 years ago

$50

William Gentles

5 years ago

$75

Anonymous

5 years ago

$1300

John Tobey Clark

7 years ago

$100

Alison Goodwin

7 years ago

$150

Meghan Robinson

7 years ago

$50

Gad Acosta

7 years ago

$10

MUMPA PRINCE

Belle initiative que je soutiens profondement

1 year ago

william gentles

Dear friends, Many thanks for your kind and generous support. We are at day 3 of the campaign, and have already exceeded 25% ($1268) of our target! If you feel so inclined, please tell your friends about our campaign. If you’re into Facebook, share our campaign on your Facebook page by clicking the button below. Thanks and best regards Bill Gentles

Dear friends,

Many thanks for your kind and generous support. We are at day 3 of the campaign, and have already exceeded 25% ($1268) of our target!

If you feel so inclined, please tell your friends about our campaign.

If you’re into Facebook, share our campaign on your Facebook page by clicking the button below.

Thanks and best regards

Bill Gentles

7 years ago

michael cheng

Hi, this is a great initiative and I have made a contribution. I would also suggest to encourage the CE community to in healthcare facilities to round up their old or unused tools as a donation to low resource countries. best wishes Michael Cheng

7 years ago

Frank Painter

Great Work CMBES.

7 years ago

Antonio Hernandez

I wish you a successful campaign

7 years ago

Shauna Mullally

$0

william gentles

Anders Engstrom

Antonio Hernandez

Billy Teninty

Gad Acosta

Laurence Boccaccio

Martin Poulin

Murray Rice

Shauna Mullally

Tom Judd