Medical Pantry is a small innovative Victorian charity that is combating healthcare’s contribution to climate change and health inequality. In 2021, we rescued and donated 25,000 tonnes of medical supplies (approx. $200 million) from a tiny 200sqm warehouse in Yarraville.
Australia’s health system is one of the best in the world. It provides quality, safe and affordable health care for all. However, to achieve this, our health system is oversupplied and generates huge amounts of waste. Alarmingly, 30% of this waste includes unused medical supplies. Conversely, approximately half the world’s population has no access to basic medical care.
Medical Pantry’s approach mirrors Foodbank, OzHarvest and Secondbite which are tackling food waste and food insecurity:
- Our donors include all levels of the supply chain (manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, hospitals and clinics). They provide us with the medical products our recipients need.
- Our volunteers sort the donated products and pack them into boxes and pallets.
- Our partnerships with charities, NGOs and Ministries of Health allow us to distribute these supplies to our recipient communities in need.
And through this
medical surplus redistribution
, we reduce the environmental impact of our health system and improve access to quality healthcare globally.
Our Board
Dr Martin Nguyen
Dr Hanh Nguyen
Pal Singh
Patricia Kitney