Medical Aid Project

"To empower and support students in making a sustainable difference in the realisation of health equality, at home and abroad"

The Medical Aid Project (MAP) is a student initiative run by TIME (Towards International Medical Equality), the global health club affiliated with the University of Queensland Medical Society. The primary objective of the project is to source desperately needed medical equipment and deliver it to the developing communities that first-year medical students visit in their clinical elective placement.

MAP was established in 2005 when students within TIME identified the potential to integrate their belief in equitable provision of healthcare worldwide with the clinical placement. Noting the dire lack of medical supplies, skills, facilities and provisions that was evident in many of the communities they visited, they sought to address these problems through donations of surplus or pre-used equipment from Australian hospitals and medical practices. This project has since become TIME's principle focus.

In order to ensure equipment sent is targeting the needs of the individual communities, students liaise with the hospital they will visit and develop wish lists. These lists include items ranging from stethoscopes, thermometers and surgical utensils to diabetes management glucometers, microscopes, pharmaceutical products, bandages, gloves and textbooks. Items may be needed due to expense or simply due to difficulty in acquiring safe and functional equipment within their country. Once these needs are identified, the members of MAP source the equipment through local health services and also turn to the community through fund raising events. Equipment is either delivered to the hospitals throughout the year, or brought with the students during their elective placement.

In the past four years, our MAP has continued to grow and develop, sending more equipment to a wider range of hospitals. Last year more than $20,000 worth of equipment was distributed to more than 16 hospitals in developing communities worldwide, including Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, India, Peru, Nepal, rural Australia and Rwanda.

In 2009, our MAP aims to further increase its provisions of aid through expanding its sponsorship base and strengthening relationships with local health care providers. With more students expressing an interest in assisting fundraising and logistics, the MAP is hoping to achieve a greater distribution of medical aid. Through generous donations of second-hand equipment and financial support, MAP is able to deliver equipment to hospitals directly, ensuring that donations are transferred to where they are most needed.

The Medical Aid Project would greatly appreciate any assistance that may be rendered by health professionals. We are looking for donations of equipment, consumables (such as latex gloves, bandages and pharmaceutical products) or financial sponsorship. For further information, visit www.timeuq.org and access the 'MAP' tab. If you are a potential supporter, have some equipment to donate or would just like to know more about us, please contact MAP on MAP@timeuq.org.

Jo Hutcheon
Publicity Officer for Medical Aid Project (MAP)