Medical device donations: considerations for solicitation and provision
WHO Medical device technical series
Overview
The health sectors of many developing countries rely significantly on donations of medical devices and medical equipment (also referred to in this document as “healthcare equipment” or “equipment”). Although these donations are generally made with good intentions, the outcomes are not always positive if the donations are not properly planned and coordinated.
This document provides an overview of the issues and challenges surrounding medical device donations, and offers considerations and best practices that may be useful for making and soliciting donations. The document highlights the importance of an active participatory role for the intended recipients of medical equipment donations and emphasizes the importance of treating donations with the same rigour typically applied when purchasing medical equipment.