I was once contacted and told, but not too long ago, that all cargo ships in the oil and gas industry operating in or close to Solomon Islands waters are well equipped with well stocked hospitals and regularly are obliged to discard expired dressings and over the counter medications considered expired stock items, including balms, hydration salts, antiseptics and ointments. All of which being are non-prescription and basic first aid items.
I believe the SI MHMS could very well find a practical use for such supplies if the items were not expired longer than 12 months.
I don’t know how I personally can get in touch with the shipping agents or authorities operating the large fleet of cargo ships in the oil and gas industry to see whether what is considered “expired” stock in the vessel’s hospitals could, instead of being discarded, be donated to the MHMS.
Perhaps, the MHMS or the Solomon Islands government or representatives in Australia could be asked to make enquires. I mention Australia because it is my understanding the majority of cargo ships I have mentioned sail from Darwin.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
