It is important to realize that there is a vast difference in the quality of product offered by companies that sell refurbished medical equipment. Some companies abide by their mission to sell high quality refurbished medical equipment at an affordable price. Unfortunately, other companies will not hesitate to ship dirty, broken surgical equipment to customers in other countries. Because most of the companies that sell refurbished medical equipment are located in the United States, it is critical that hospital and surgeons in Nigeria take the proper measures to evaluate refurbishing companies before finalizing a purchase.
The Key to Sourcing Refurbished Medical Equipment in Nigeria
The key to sourcing affordable professionally refurbished medical equipment for Nigeria is to find a trusted refurbishing company with the staff and resources required to properly test and certify pre-owned medical equipment. By requesting photos, references and a list of approving agencies, you can separate the good refurbishing companies from companies that ship untested or broken equipment to Africa. Before taking these steps, it is helpful to understand the difference between used and professionally refurbished equipment.
What Is the Difference Between Used and Refurbished Medical Equipment?
Surgeons and doctors often do not realize that there is a major difference between used equipment and professionally refurbished equipment in Nigeria. Many companies will advertise refurbished equipment, but in reality their products are untested, dirty and unsafe for use. Below are some key features that distinguish professionally refurbished equipment from used equipment:
| Professionally Refurbished Equipment | Used Equipment |
|---|---|
| Biomedically tested and certified | Might be nonfunctional |
| Cleaned and professionally painted | Often unclean and unsafe |
| New accessories are included | May arrive with no accessories |
| Includes a warranty (often up to one year) | Often sold without a warranty |
| Securely packaged for protection | Might not be safely packaged |
| Arrives patient ready with owner's manual | Usually not patient ready |
How to Separate the Good Refurbishing Companies from the Bad Ones
Sometimes it can be difficult to determine whether a refurbishing company is trustworthy with safe products. After all, it is easy for any company to create a beautiful website that promises perfect products. And with Nigeria being thousands of miles from the United States, a face to face visit is often not possible. Without being able to see the products in person, it can be difficult to tell whether companies simply selling unsafe used products, or whether they are selling fully tested refurbished products with new accessories. Below are some measures that you can take to help ensure that you are working with a trusted company that offers high quality refurbished surgical equipment.
- Request photos of the company's warehouse and biomedical laboratory.
- Ask for references. Specifically, request names of Nigerian clients.
- Request the biomedical inspection form used by the company.
- Investigate the company's accreditations and approvals.
- Be aware that the lowest prices may mean the lowest quality.
By taking the above steps, you can help make sure that you receive the high quality medical equipment that you need for your hospital or clinic in Nigeria. Whether you treat patients in Lagos, Abuja, Kano or Port Harcourt, you can maximize your savings by purchasing professionally refurbished surgical equipment. Contact us to learn how our high quality professionally refurbished medical equipment can help you improve the quality of care that your patients receive. We look forward to hearing from you today!
