DEERFIELD, Ill., Feb. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Baxter International Inc. announced today the donation of more than 280,000 doses of the company’s NeisVac-C vaccine, a meningococcal group C vaccine, to International Health Partners (IHP), a charitable organization dedicated to providing donated medical aid to communities in the developing world. The donation will help complete the inoculation of the nearly 500,000 earthquake victims at risk of contracting meningitis in Kashmir in advance of the coming spring, one of the region’s most prevalent seasons for outbreaks. In addition to this vaccine donation, the company also announced a $250,000 grant, awarded through The Baxter International Foundation, to CARE USA in support of the organization’s earthquake relief efforts in India and Pakistan.
“In the face of another tragic natural disaster, we are working closely with international relief agencies to assess the needs of the individuals in India and Pakistan who have been affected and provide the necessary medical supplies, including vaccines to help prevent additional outbreaks of meningitis,” said Robert L. Parkinson, Jr., Baxter’s chairman and chief executive officer. “It is our hope that this donation will help control a potentially serious health concern in a region that is most in need.”
“IHP has been working closely with the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization to provide the maximum protection for those at risk through the harsh Himalayan winter,” said Anthony Dunnett, president, IHP. “Baxter’s donation of NeisVac-C vaccines is exactly what is needed at this time.”
“With meningitis cases already identified, immunization is an essential preventative measure if we are to avoid a secondary disaster,” said Dr. Khalif Bile Mohamud, country representative of the World Health Organization in Pakistan. “This donation will save many lives over the coming months. We would like to thank Baxter and International Health Partners for making this possible.”
Vaccine Donation Follows Grant From Foundation to CARE USA
This vaccine donation follows a $250,000 grant awarded by Baxter’s charitable foundation to CARE USA, one of the world’s largest private international relief and development organizations, to support earthquake relief efforts in India and Pakistan. In addition, Baxter matched qualifying contributions made by employees on a 2 to 1 basis, providing an additional $50,000 to aid victims of the disaster.
“We appreciate the support of companies like Baxter in providing the resources we need to bring food, water and other essentials to people in regions affected by natural disasters,” said Peter Bell, president and CEO, CARE USA. “With this generous grant, CARE will help communities in Pakistan and India recover from the earthquake by improving public health conditions and repairing basic infrastructure, such as water systems. Our ultimate goal is to help rebuild these affected communities.”
As the philanthropic arm of Baxter International Inc. , The Baxter International Foundation helps organizations increase access to healthcare in the United States and around the world. The foundation, established in 1981, began to focus exclusively on increasing access to healthcare in 2002 -- particularly for the disadvantaged and underserved -- in and near communities where Baxter employees live and work.
Baxter International Inc., through its subsidiaries, assists healthcare professionals and their patients with the treatment of complex medical conditions, including cancer, hemophilia, immune disorders, kidney disease and trauma. The company applies its expertise in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives.
Baxter International Inc.
CONTACT: Lisa Keltner, +1-847-948-4107, or, Amy Cynkar, +1-847-940-5166,both of Baxter International Inc.
Web site: http://www.baxter.com/
