The Atlanta-based non-profit has partnered with Boston-based non-profit. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / PRURGENT
ATLANTA, Georgia (February 28, 2018). – MedShare, an Atlanta-based humanitarian aid organization dedicated to global health, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IMEC, a nonprofit organization that provides equipment solutions for strengthening health care facilities, agriculture, and, education projects in low-resource countries. The MoU formalizes their partnership as the organizations combine their resources in an effort to strengthen health systems and improve global healthcare.
MedShare CEO and President, Charles Redding, and IMEC CEO, Ellen Oliver signed the agreement on January 31st. Both organizations are actively involved in the training and improvement of biomedical equipment services in developing nations. IMEC will provide MedShare with state of the art biomedical equipment suites for use by MedShare’s international healthcare partners. The cooperative relationship established by this MoU will ensure that the benefitting healthcare facilities in developing nations receive the most comprehensive and functional equipment possible, making life-saving care possible for countless patients.
The World Health Organization estimates that as much as 70% of biomedical equipment in Sub-Saharan Africa is out of service. Equipment sits idle for many reasons; biomedical equipment is often donated to developing nations already broken, some pieces are missing parts or cannot be repaired without specific tools, and others go unused because technicians and end-users do not have sufficient training to operate and maintain the equipment. The MoU between MedShare and IMEC recognizes the urgent need for quality, high-functioning biomedical equipment at healthcare facilities in low-resource areas around the world. In addition to providing equipment, the organizations will focus on the need for comprehensive training to ensure the effectiveness and long-term value of equipment. Together, MedShare and IMEC will equip under-resourced hospitals and clinics with the tools they need to save lives and empower healthcare communities to improve their overall health outcomes.
“Strong partnerships are key to successful and sustainable improvements to international health systems. Bringing together our two organizations’ resources, missions, and team members will allow us to amplify our impact significantly,” said MedShare CEO and President, Charles Redding. “MedShare is honored to work alongside partners like IMEC that are equally committed to the sustainable strengthening of world health systems. We look forward to the impactful work that MedShare and IMEC will do together!”
Ellen Oliver, CEO of IMEC, said, “IMEC and MedShare were brought together by a shared methodology of smart, strategic, and sustainable development. Both of our organizations see the value in equipping communities, not just with the items they need to succeed, but also with the knowledge and training that will help their success continue for years to come. With this shared outlook, I am confident that IMEC’s partnership with MedShare will make a positive and lasting impact on the health of the communities we serve."
For 20 years, the combined efforts of MedShare and IMEC have strengthened health systems in 100 countries and served nearly 40 million patients with donated medical supplies and equipment. Combined, their Biomedical Equipment Trainings and Repair Services have provided essential training to more than 12,000 engineers, technicians, and end-users worldwide. Going forward, the partnership between MedShare and IMEC will continue to improve the quality of biomedical equipment services available to patients in low-resource communities, as well as equip biomedical equipment technicians with life-changing knowledge and employment opportunities within their communities.
About MedShare
MedShare is a 501c(3) humanitarian aid organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of people, communities, and our planet by sourcing and directly delivering surplus medical supplies and equipment to communities in need around the world. And this year, MedShare is celebrating 20 years of impacting its local and global communities. For more information, please visit the organization’s website at www.medshare.org.
About IMEC
IMEC is a 501c(3) organization committed to transforming communities worldwide by providing sustainable equipment solutions for health care, agriculture, and education projects. Working in collaboration with other humanitarian organizations and individuals, IMEC has helped improve the lives of individuals in over 95 countries since 1995. For more information, please visit the organization’s website at www.imecamerica.org. | 
