MedWrench Q&A with Richard Dyke from MedWish

In today’s edition of the MedWrench blog, I want to share a brief Q&A I had with retired Biomed, Richard Dyke, concerning the MedWish organization. Richard and his wife have been volunteering at MedWish for over 11 years, even before he retired. Check out the Q&A below for more information on the MedWish organization.

Richard Dyke

What is the basic principle of the MedWish organization?

MedWish is chartered as a 501C3 non-profit organization. The basic concept is to rescue medical equipment from normally going to landfills and give them a second life in a third world country. I am told that hospital surgeons sometimes ask for operating rooms to be completely remodeled. This means that the operating tables, lights and etc. are scrapped.

Does MedWish buy used medical equipment from hospitals or do the hospitals donate the equipment?

MedWish is recognized by the IRS as a valid recipient of donated equipment and supplies. The only time that MedWish would buy something is when a volunteer group is willing to financially back the purchase for a specific location. In any event, this enables the donor organization (hospital or doctor) to take a tax write-off for whatever amount they consider fair.

Is the equipment typically running fine or do the units need refurbishing?

Usually the equipment arriving is workable although it will be missing leads, components or have dead batteries. Often the equipment is incomplete or does not work and will need to be trashed, unless someone like myself can effect a repair. Since the items are destined for a third world country, I am not limited to using original manufactured parts.

Do you donate the equipment domestically or predominantly to third world countries?

All of the MedWish shipments must go to third world countries as specified in the MedWish charter. For example, in 2009 I sent a 40 foot container of hospital beds, exam tables, ultrasound machines and supplies to Cameroon, Africa. So with the financial help of others at my church, we contracted with a shipping expeditor company, who made all of the detail arrangements, costing about $10,500. It is important that you designate a reputable person in the receiving city to unload and transport the container contents.

On average, how much equipment do you recover per year?

In calendar year 2015, over 105 tons of working equipment and supplies were sent to 40 countries.

What are the steps typically involved in the process?

The donor organization should first contact MedWish to arrange a date / time when the items are ready for pickup of a shipment or when their truck will arrive at MedWish for a donation to be unloaded. Usually unload times are scheduled as to not conflict with volunteer sort days.

What is the best way for hospitals or healthcare facilities to go about donating equipment to MedWish?

They may call MedWish at 216-692-1685 and talk with the Director of Operations or go online to www.medwish.org and enter info on the donation page. If necessary MedWish will rent a truck with a power tailgate lift and pick up the items. MedWish will subsequently send the donor a letter of donation which can used to validate their deduction to the IRS.