PITTSBURGH, Nov. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- More than $4.2 million in drugs,
medical supplies, water storage equipment and financial relief is being
provided to Central America's hard-hit areas by Bayer Corporation.
Some of the aid, which includes more than 65,000 doses of tetanus
hyperimmune globulin, thousands of doses of its Cipro antibiotic, and cases of
Bayer Aspirin and One-A-Day vitamins, will be distributed through the Roberto
Clemente Health Clinic in Nicaragua. Bayer is also providing aid through the
American Red Cross, the Brother's Brother Foundation and other relief
organizations.
"The poor hygienic and sanitary conditions that are prevalent after a
major disaster like Hurricane Mitch are breeding grounds for hepatitis,
tetanus and other diseases," said David Ebsworth, Ph.D., President of Bayer's
Pharmaceutical Division. "Our BayTet hyperimmune globulin can prevent
infection and our antibiotics can help health care workers in the field treat
those already infected."
Rates for tetanus immunization in Central America are very low, creating a
high risk for tetanus infection. The hyperimmune globulin provides active
antibodies that help fight infection.
The devastation caused by Mitch left three million people in Honduras and
Nicaragua without homes, with little or no food, and with no source of clean
water.
An International Effort
In addition to donations from Bayer Corporation, other members of the
global Bayer Group are contributing money, medicine and other products to help
Central America protect its people and rebuild its infrastructure.
Large-scale donations from Bayer's parent company in Germany, as well as
donations from Bayer in Canada and Guatemala, are also flowing into Central
America.
Bayer Corporation has a strong history of charitable giving through the
Bayer Foundation and community programs at individual sites. In 1997, Bayer
joined with the Pittsburgh Rotary Club to build the Roberto Clemente Health
Clinic in laReforma, Nicaragua. The clinic provides health care services for
Nicaraguans, many of whom had never seen a doctor prior to the clinic's
opening. The clinic survived the flooding, landslides and rain and is busy
providing medical care to local residents.
Bayer Corporation is a research-based company with major businesses in
health care and life sciences, chemicals and imaging technologies. The
company had 1997 sales of $9.3 billion and employs more than 26,000 people.
Bayer Corporation, with headquarters in Pittsburgh, is a member of the
worldwide Bayer Group, a $32 billion chemical and pharmaceutical company based
in Leverkusen, Germany.
SOURCE Bayer Corporation
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CONTACT:
David B. Reeder of Bayer, 412-777-5666
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