Healthcare firms double private medical aid in two years

The amount of aid sent by healthcare companies doubled between 2003 and 2005, according to the Partnership for Quality Medical Donations (PQMD).

It said that over $3 billion of private medical aid was delivered in 2004, compared to $1.4 billion in 2003, mainly in response to the December tsunami. It said that preliminary findings showed 2005 aid to be just under $3 billion.

The body, which represents 25 healthcare firms and aid agencies, added that its members had also employed expert satellite technology and information sharing to boost aid efforts.

The announcement comes after an eventful 2005 for humanitarian disasters; the world was blighted by the Indian Ocean tsunami, earthquakes in Pakistan and hurricanes in the Americas.

PQMD chair Anthoula Randopoulos said: “Contributions from PQMD members represent a significant percentage of the healthcare resources directed to emergency situations and to address health challenges in areas of high need and high poverty.”

She said that information sharing and satellite tracking would help agencies and firms to “improve efficiencies, appropriateness, and the handling of inventory in future relief efforts and in support of ongoing health activities.”

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