The Government of Grenada has signed an agreement with AFYA Foundation, a USA registered charitable organisation that sources unused medical supplies and then donates them to Third World or developing nations for use at health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, and health centres.
“We collect high-quality surplus medical supplies equipment, durable supplies from the biggest and the best health systems of New York City and we only send supplies that are matched from request from on the ground providers…Our goal is to strengthen the existing healthcare infrastructure,” said Danielle Butin, MPH, OTR and Founder, CEO of AFYA at the signing ceremony on 5 March 2024.
Disclosing that Grenada has become the organisation’s 84th partner, Butin said that the first container of supplies arrived in Grenada on 22 February. “It was packed with wound care supplies, supplies for primary paediatric labs, surgical and urgent care; we have trigonometry trays, orthopaedic braces and so much more…The fair market value for this thing is US$100,000,” she said.
Founded 16 years ago, “Afya creates access to critical medical supplies where there is none, supplies like sutures, bandages, assorted surgical instruments, and more. Afya’s programmes give these supplies a second life, diverting them from landfills to wherever they are needed—making us a vital link in the global medical supply chain,” states their website.
It further explained that each year, American hospitals discard 7,000 tons of clean, usable medical supplies worth over $20 billion due to federal regulations requiring they go unused. “Meanwhile, countless clinics and hospitals elsewhere are in critical need of these tools and equipment to deliver vital medical care. By successfully recovering surplus medical supplies, hospital equipment, and humanitarian provisions, we divert more than a million pounds of these goods from going to waste and deliver them where they can be of aid.”
Health Minister Phillip Telesford who signed the agreement on behalf of Government, said that the initiative with the foundation is to transform the primary healthcare services in the island as it will ensure that medical supplies are constantly available at primary healthcare facilities. “This is extremely critical, it is no secret there is a push to the General Hospital; regardless of the complaint, everybody rushes to the General Hospital. This initiative is geared towards assisting in transforming primary healthcare which will indeed pull people back to the community healthcare facilities.” Minister Telesford pointed out that there are 36 primary healthcare facilities around the state.
The partnership between the Government and the AFYA Foundation became a reality because of the Grenada Diaspora Advisory Council (GDAC) established in September 2022. “This partnership is led by Grenadians in the Diaspora who have committed their medical expertise and time to help improve the healthcare system for the people are Grenada,” said Shonda Cadore.
Cadore and Abiola Jeremiah are founding members of GDAC. “We are the brainchild behind this organisation. It is to create a win-win situation for both Grenadians and the Government. The goal is to match expertise in the diaspora with the needs of the Country. The council is dedicated to prioritising long-term initiatives in collaboration with the associated government ministries. We share a vision of a more prosperous and resilient nation,” she said.
