Medical Surplus Recovery Program

AFCA collects opened but unused and new but unneeded medical supplies and equipment from hospitals, manufacturers, and distributors, diverting them from landfills and shipping them for use in the countries where we work.

Every day US hospitals prepare for surgeries and procedures by opening instrument and supply packs. A great deal of these valuable goods are never used, though. Due to government regulations, these supplies must be discarded. AFCA collects these supplies, which never had patient contact, so they can be used to save lives in Africa. While American doctors throw away sutures that have never been used, medical professionals throughout the world are washing, sun-drying and reusing sutures on numerous patients.

ACA’s work saves thousands of pounds of excess medical supplies and equipment from landfills and incinerators that, for various reasons, hospitals and medical companies discard. We accept donations of unused, unexpired medical supplies and used but functioning biomedical equipment through our medical supply recovery program.

AFCA works with hospitals in Pennsylvania to set up recovery programs, so the hospital staff can efficiently recycle their surplus medical supplies. The program includes regular pick-up service of donated supplies.

To make a donation of surplus medical supplies or equipment, or to request further information, please contact us at 717.489.0206.

Lists of Acceptable Products
The following are guidelines detailing the medical supplies and biomedical equipment that AFCA accepts.

• Biomedical Equipment
  
• Surplus Medical Supplies List
  ** AFCA does not accept pharmaceuticals. 

FAQ’s

Where are you located?
AFCA’s distribution center is located in Palmyra, PA.
Our headquarters are located at 6221 Blue Grass Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17112.

Where do you collect surplus supplies and equipment?
We work with hospitals in the Harrisburg metro area and in South Central Pennsylvania to recover surplus medical products.

Can I donate my expired supplies to you?
No, all products must have a minimum shelf life of 12 months because of customs regulations in most of our recipient countries.

Do you accept pharmaceuticals?
Not, we do not accept pharmaceuticals.

What type of product donations do you accept?
AFCA works with hospitals, clinics, manufacturers, distributors and individuals to receive disposable medical supplies, gently used durable goods and operational biomedical equipment. Most needed are simple items like gloves, sutures, surgical instruments, stethoscopes, wheelchairs, patient monitors, hospital beds, needles, syringes, baby and adult diapers, and sterilizers.

Do you make medical supplies available to clinics in the United States?
No, we offer a variety of supplies to our partner hospitals in Sub-Saharan Africa.

How can I learn more about sponsoring the shipment of a container of medical supplies and equipment?
Call 717.489.0206 for more information or write us at info@helpchildrenwithaids.org.

How can I help with the work that AFCA is doing?
There are several ways you can get involved at AFCA. You can donate medical product, sponsor in part or in the entirety, the shipping of a container or you can volunteer to help sort and package medical product.

Biomedical Equipment

Equipment is one of the most needed and requested items by AFCA programs.  AFCA recipient hospitals have a need for ultrasounds, centrifuges, portable X-ray machines, table-top sterilizers and lab microscopes.

AFCA's goal is to provide our recipient organizations with a minimum of 6 months of accessories for all pieces of equipment that we ship. For all accessories with expiration dates, AFCA can only accept items that have at least 12 months before they expire.

We can accept equipment that:

• Is fully operational
• Has cosmetic damage only
• Has all necessary accessories

**We do NOT accept pharmaceuticals (including heparin) or IV fluids of any kind.

Equipment Wish List

• Anesthesia machine
• Autoclave/Sterilizer - table top and bulk
• Cast Saw
• Centrifuge
• Defibrillator / Monitors
• Dermatome
• Diagnostics ultrasound with probe
• EKG recorder (dual)
• Exam light
• Fetal doppler
• Fetal monitor
• Glucose meter (portable) - preferably with test strips and lancets
• Humidifier
• Infant warmers
• Infant incubator
• Lab equipment and analyzers
  • Lab incubators
  • Shakers
  • Lab washers
  • Lab dryers
  • Lab digital precision scales
  • Coagulations analyzers
  • Humidifier chambers
  • Blood gas analyzers
  • Chemistry analyzers
  • CD-4 Counter
  • Microscopes (Binoculars)
  • Centrifuge
• Laryngoscopes
• Medical refrigerator
• Microscope - surgical and lab
• Nebulizer
• Nerve stimulator
• Ophthalmoscope
• Ophthalmic equipment (slit lamps, etc.)
• OR lights- portable and ceiling mounted
• Otoscopes
• Oxygen concentrator
• Patient warmers
• Portable X-ray system (including portable mammography)
• Pulse oximeter
• Sphygmomanometer
• Stethoscopes
• Suction pumps
• Surgical head light
• Syringe pumps
• Table - Exam, OR, Surgical and Delivery
• Thermometers (digital only)
• Traction unit
• Vaporizers
• Ventilator
• Vital sign monitors (must have modules, if required)
• Weighing scales – adult and infant
• X-ray processors / developers
• X-ray view boxes (wall-mounted only)

Surplus Medical Supplies List

AFCA can process the items listed below under the following conditions:

1. Disposable items should have NEVER had direct patient contact
2. Durable goods, such as beds, potty chairs, walkers, wheelchairs and crutches, should be new or gently used and come complete with all parts and accessories

AFCA only accepts and ships disposable products that have at least 12 months of use before they expire:

• Anesthesia Supplies
• Blankets
• Cardiac Surgery Supplies
• Defibrillators
• Diapers
• Drains
• Drapes
• Dressings, Gauze & Tape
• EKG/EEG Supplies & Equipment
• Electrodes (in-date)
• Electrosurgical Units
• Endoscopic Equipment
• Feeding Supplies & Equipment
• Fetal Doppler Supplies & Equipment
• First Aid Supplies
• Furniture & Other Hospital Furnishings
• Gastrointestinal Supplies
• Gloves, Surgical & Exam
• Gowns, Surgical & Patient
• Infant Incubator / Warmer
• Intravenous Supplies
• Lab Supplies & Equipment
• Labor & Delivery Supplies
• Laryngoscopes
• Medicine Bottles
• Microscopes
• Monitoring Supplies & Equipment
• Needle Counters
• Needles (sterile)
• OB/GYN Supplies
• Ophthalmology Supplies
• Orthopedic Supplies
• Ostomy Supplies
• Otoscopes & Ophthalmoscopes
• OR Packs (partial or intact)
• Operating/Procedure Room Equipment
• Patient Care (Nursing) Supplies
• Pediatric Supplies
• Personal Hygiene Items
• Plasticware
• Procedural Trays
• Protective Clothing/Face Wear
• Pulse Oximeters
• Respiratory Supplies
• Sheets
• Skin Prep Items
• Staplers
• Stethoscopes
• Sterilization Supplies & Equipment
• Surgical Instruments (must be clean)
• Suction Machines
• Suction/Irrigation Supplies
• Sutures (sterile)
• Syringes
• Therapeutic Equipment
• Towels
• Ultrasound Machines & Portable X-Ray
• Urinary Supplies
• Vascular Clips
• Ventilators
• Waste Disposal Containers, Sharps Containers
• Wheelchairs & Crutches