{"id":4839,"date":"2026-08-10T08:28:31","date_gmt":"2026-08-10T06:28:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/blog\/the-power-of-collaboration-medical-help-that-really-reaches-the-right-place\/"},"modified":"2026-08-10T08:52:14","modified_gmt":"2026-08-10T06:52:14","slug":"the-power-of-collaboration-medical-help-that-really-reaches-the-right-place","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/en\/blog\/the-power-of-collaboration-medical-help-that-really-reaches-the-right-place\/","title":{"rendered":"The power of collaboration: medical help that really reaches the right place"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>From fundraising in the Netherlands to medical aid in the right place in Moldova<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Organizing a shipment of medical supplies to Moldova is one thing. Ensuring that these supplies ultimately reach the hospitals, healthcare providers, and patients who need them requires much more. This requires a chain of people and organizations that trust each other and work together towards the same goal.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During a visit to Moldova, it became clear once again how important that cooperation is. We visited, among other places, the warehouse of the <strong>Institute for Mother and Child<\/strong>, from where the medical aid supplies sent from the Netherlands on July 15 are further distributed to hospitals and other final destinations. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is precisely there that you see a project come to life. The boxes, materials, and medical equipment collected in the Netherlands suddenly find a purpose. You see how the supplies are distributed and eventually end up in the places where they are actually needed.  <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"4825\" src=\"https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/focus-voor-afrika-image-ziekenhuiskamer-bed-uitzicht-raam-rust-768x1024.avif\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4825\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/focus-voor-afrika-image-ziekenhuiskamer-bed-uitzicht-raam-rust-768x1024.avif 768w, https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/focus-voor-afrika-image-ziekenhuiskamer-bed-uitzicht-raam-rust-225x300.avif 225w, https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/focus-voor-afrika-image-ziekenhuiskamer-bed-uitzicht-raam-rust-1152x1536.avif 1152w, https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/focus-voor-afrika-image-ziekenhuiskamer-bed-uitzicht-raam-rust.avif 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"4824\" src=\"https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/focus-voor-afrika-image-wastafel-marmer-zeepdispenser-badkamer-kraan-768x1024.avif\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4824\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/focus-voor-afrika-image-wastafel-marmer-zeepdispenser-badkamer-kraan-768x1024.avif 768w, https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/focus-voor-afrika-image-wastafel-marmer-zeepdispenser-badkamer-kraan-225x300.avif 225w, https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/focus-voor-afrika-image-wastafel-marmer-zeepdispenser-badkamer-kraan-1152x1536.avif 1152w, https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/focus-voor-afrika-image-wastafel-marmer-zeepdispenser-badkamer-kraan.avif 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"767\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"4823\" src=\"https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/focus-voor-afrika-image-team-mensen-vrachtwagen-spullen-stad-767x1024.avif\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4823\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/focus-voor-afrika-image-team-mensen-vrachtwagen-spullen-stad-767x1024.avif 767w, https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/focus-voor-afrika-image-team-mensen-vrachtwagen-spullen-stad-225x300.avif 225w, https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/focus-voor-afrika-image-team-mensen-vrachtwagen-spullen-stad-768x1025.avif 768w, https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/focus-voor-afrika-image-team-mensen-vrachtwagen-spullen-stad.avif 933w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 100vw, 767px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Investing in better care<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During the visit, we also had the opportunity to view various hospital departments that have been renovated with the support of <strong>MAD-Aid<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The improvements are very impressive. Not only because of the investments that have been made, but especially because of the effect on children, parents, and medical staff. Good and modern facilities ensure better conditions for patients and provide healthcare providers with an environment in which they can perform their work better.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this way, aid goes much further than merely supplying medical materials. It contributes to dignified care and to a structural improvement of healthcare. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Special thanks therefore go to <strong>Victoria Dunford<\/strong> and the entire MAD-Aid team. Their professionalism, commitment, and ability to convert available resources into concrete results demonstrate how important strong and reliable local partners are. <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"4822\" src=\"https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/focus-voor-afrika-image-speelruimte-speelgoed-glijbaan-schommelpaard-kinderen-768x1024.avif\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4822\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/focus-voor-afrika-image-speelruimte-speelgoed-glijbaan-schommelpaard-kinderen-768x1024.avif 768w, https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/focus-voor-afrika-image-speelruimte-speelgoed-glijbaan-schommelpaard-kinderen-225x300.avif 225w, https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/focus-voor-afrika-image-speelruimte-speelgoed-glijbaan-schommelpaard-kinderen-1152x1536.avif 1152w, https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/focus-voor-afrika-image-speelruimte-speelgoed-glijbaan-schommelpaard-kinderen.avif 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"4821\" src=\"https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/focus-voor-afrika-image-opslagruimte-medische-meubels-infuusstandaards-bedden-768x1024.avif\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4821\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/focus-voor-afrika-image-opslagruimte-medische-meubels-infuusstandaards-bedden-768x1024.avif 768w, https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/focus-voor-afrika-image-opslagruimte-medische-meubels-infuusstandaards-bedden-225x300.avif 225w, https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/focus-voor-afrika-image-opslagruimte-medische-meubels-infuusstandaards-bedden.avif 1104w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"4820\" src=\"https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/focus-voor-afrika-image-medische-apparatuur-magazijn-kasten-hulpmiddelen-ziekenhuis-768x1024.avif\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4820\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/focus-voor-afrika-image-medische-apparatuur-magazijn-kasten-hulpmiddelen-ziekenhuis-768x1024.avif 768w, https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/focus-voor-afrika-image-medische-apparatuur-magazijn-kasten-hulpmiddelen-ziekenhuis-225x300.avif 225w, https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/focus-voor-afrika-image-medische-apparatuur-magazijn-kasten-hulpmiddelen-ziekenhuis-1152x1536.avif 1152w, https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/focus-voor-afrika-image-medische-apparatuur-magazijn-kasten-hulpmiddelen-ziekenhuis.avif 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cooperation between the Netherlands and Moldova<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The transport on July 15 was also only possible thanks to the efforts of various organizations and volunteers.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It was made possible through the collaboration between <strong>NorocOlanda \u2013 HelloNetherlands<\/strong> and the trusted partner <strong>Stichting ZGT Overzee<\/strong>, represented by <strong>Salah Said<\/strong>. Additionally, we could count on the great commitment and generosity of <strong>Medisch Spectrum Twente (MST)<\/strong> in Enschede and Oldenzaal, <strong>Team Apotheek Enschede,<\/strong> and <strong>ZGT Hengelo.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All these organizations made an important contribution in their own way to the collection and provision of medical devices.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But behind such a transport are also people. People who collect, sort, and pack materials, maintain contacts, and ensure that everything can ultimately actually be shipped. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Therefore, we also thank <strong>Nancy ter Avest-Schotmeijer, Agnes, Feddes, Gabriela Buza, Dumitru, Camelia and Mihai,<\/strong> and all other involved volunteers from the Moldovan community.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our transport partner <strong>Incargo SRL<\/strong>, with whom we have been working for many years, also plays an important role in this.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"4819\" src=\"https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/focus-voor-afrika-image-medische-apparatuur-bedden-dozen-verpakkingen-768x1024.avif\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4819\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/focus-voor-afrika-image-medische-apparatuur-bedden-dozen-verpakkingen-768x1024.avif 768w, https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/focus-voor-afrika-image-medische-apparatuur-bedden-dozen-verpakkingen-225x300.avif 225w, https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/focus-voor-afrika-image-medische-apparatuur-bedden-dozen-verpakkingen-1152x1536.avif 1152w, https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/focus-voor-afrika-image-medische-apparatuur-bedden-dozen-verpakkingen.avif 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"4817\" src=\"https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/focus-voor-afrika-image-bedden-kanker-ziekenhuis-licht-768x1024.avif\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4817\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/focus-voor-afrika-image-bedden-kanker-ziekenhuis-licht-768x1024.avif 768w, https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/focus-voor-afrika-image-bedden-kanker-ziekenhuis-licht-225x300.avif 225w, https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/focus-voor-afrika-image-bedden-kanker-ziekenhuis-licht-1152x1536.avif 1152w, https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/focus-voor-afrika-image-bedden-kanker-ziekenhuis-licht.avif 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"4820\" src=\"https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/focus-voor-afrika-image-medische-apparatuur-magazijn-kasten-hulpmiddelen-ziekenhuis-768x1024.avif\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4820\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/focus-voor-afrika-image-medische-apparatuur-magazijn-kasten-hulpmiddelen-ziekenhuis-768x1024.avif 768w, https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/focus-voor-afrika-image-medische-apparatuur-magazijn-kasten-hulpmiddelen-ziekenhuis-225x300.avif 225w, https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/focus-voor-afrika-image-medische-apparatuur-magazijn-kasten-hulpmiddelen-ziekenhuis-1152x1536.avif 1152w, https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/focus-voor-afrika-image-medische-apparatuur-magazijn-kasten-hulpmiddelen-ziekenhuis.avif 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">More than a truckload of relief supplies<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Good care does not happen by itself. It requires collaboration, trust, communication, and people willing to take responsibility. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every organization and every volunteer forms a link in the same chain. From the hospital in the Netherlands that makes materials available to the volunteers who collect them, the transporter who travels thousands of kilometers, and the local organizations that ensure everything reaches the right healthcare institution. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Only then does it become clear that a truck with medical supplies is much more than just a transport from the Netherlands to Moldova.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is an investment in people, in better care, and ultimately in the future of healthcare in Moldova.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>That is the power of collaboration.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Medical aid does not stop at filling and shipping a truck. The true impact only becomes visible when supplies reach the hospitals, healthcare providers, and patients who need them. A visit to Moldova shows how collaboration between organizations, volunteers, and local partners makes the difference.  <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4838,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,25],"tags":[27],"class_list":["post-4839","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-transport","tag-moldova"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4839","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4839"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4839\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4840,"href":"https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4839\/revisions\/4840"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4838"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4839"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4839"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.focusvoorafrika.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4839"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}