Medical Aid Merger

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32323, 15 June 1970, Page 10

Medical Aid Merger

Medical Aid Abroad has approved the principle of affiliation with C.0.R.5.0. as a constituent body. This decision was made at the annual trustee meeting of Medical Aid Abroad in Christchurch on Saturday. The meeting, attended by representatives of the four branches, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, decided to seek more discussions with C.0.R.5.0. with a view to co-operating in the dispatch of surplus drugs to emerging countries in Asia and the Pacific. Founded in 1965 at Christchurch, Medical Aid Abroad has sent more than $130,000 of drugs to hospitals and clinics in these areas.

The trustees spoke of the great need for drugs in needy countries and emphasised the shortage of medical and dental equipment. Medical books printed after 1960 were in ready demand. Books on nursing procedures were acceptable even if published before 1960.

The establishment of subbranches to undertake sorting and collecting was approved with the responsibility of dispatching overseas being left to the main branches. The importance of drugs reaching their destinations before their expiry dates was emphasised although it was agreed that in certain categories the usefulness was not impaired beyond a reasonable extension. Mr J. W. Ardagh, of Christchurch, who led the New Zealand services’ medical team in South Vietnam last year, and Dr M. Shackelton, of Dunedin, were appointed to the board of trustees.