Sorting medicines at the beginnings of action medeor
© action medeor

History

An overview: From the foundation and development, to the mission and everything that moves action medeor today.

How it all began

In 1964, family doctor Dr. Ernst Boekels from Vorst had a vision of a world in which no one had to die from a treatable disease. Together with committed citizens, he collects samples of medicines and sends them to mission hospitals in Africa, Asia and Latin America. But these drugs did not help against malaria and tuberculosis.

From 1967, Dr. Boekels therefore had generic drugs (generic drugs) produced specifically for diseases of the Global South. To this day, action medeor continues this practice and benefits from the lower costs. In addition to medicines, the range currently includes 600 medical supplies such as bandages, cannulas and surgical instruments. Donations in kind from the pharmaceutical industry support the organization's aid, which is financed by cash donations.

  • In 1964

    In 1964

    action medeor was founded in Tönisvorst by the family doctor Dr. Ernst Boekels.
  • In 1974

    In 1974

    the first warehouse with an area of 1,000 square meters is built.
  • In 2005

    In 2005

    the first international action medeor branch is founded in Tanzania.

A house for action medeor

In 1974, the Krefeld railroad company provides action medeor with a plot of land on St. Töniser Straße. The organization builds an administration building and a warehouse there. Medicines can now be safely stored on an area of 1,000 square meters until a health station supported by action medeor registers a need.

1979/80 Construction begins again. Now 2,000 square meters of space are available.

In the 1990s, action medeor receives a generous bequest. The Stuttgart-based Else Eberle, widow of the publisher of the Stuttgarter Zeitung, made a bequest to the medical aid organization in her will. The legacy was used to build a second warehouse. Since then, action medeor has had a 4,000 square meter medicine warehouse.

action medeor in Tanzania

In 2005, “action medeor International Healthcare” is founded in Tanzania, Africa. 400 different products are stored and delivered to hospitals in the country. Today, the company has three medicine warehouses in Tanzania and 49 employees who also offer training in medical device technology and laboratory technology.

An innovative project has been underway at the Kibaha site since 2023: action medeor has opened a production facility for laboratory reagents there. Reagents are chemical substances that are needed to improve diagnoses. The plant is the first of its kind in the whole of East Africa.

action medeor in Malawi

In September 2015, the branch opens in Malawi. From a 500 square meter warehouse, action medeor Malawi supplies the people of the country with affordable and high-quality medicines.

The organization founds a subsidiary

In early 2021, action medeor founds a company. As a company, action medeor labworks GmbH shares all the values of the organization and pursues the same goal:

Making healthcare possible for all people. action medeor labworks supplies medicines, medical consumables and medical technology equipment for laboratories, diagnostics and treatments. Customers are healthcare facilities, aid organizations and wholesalers in countries of the Global South as well as in emergency and crisis regions. An all-round service with consulting, installation, training and maintenance completes the portfolio.

Medical technology has also been a growing area for the association for several years. Laboratory equipment, X-ray and ultrasound devices, surgical and hospital technology all help to save lives.

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