Draeger Teams Up with International Aid to Supply Medical Equipment for Use in Developing Countries

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Nov 18, 2010, 08:45 ET

TELFORD, Pa., Nov. 18, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Draeger Medical, Inc., a subsidiary of Draegerwerk AG & Co. KGaA, a leading international company in the fields of medical and safety technology, has teamed up with the global humanitarian healthcare agency International Aid (IA) to donate used medical equipment to hospitals and clinics in developing countries.

As part of the agreement, Draeger will donate previously used anesthesia machines, ventilators, infant warmers, and incubators to International Aid. A dedicated IA team will collect and recondition these items and redistribute them to healthcare facilities in economically developing countries that have limited medical resources.

The partnership will significantly extend an important component of International Aid's mission – leveraging the involvement of corporate and ministry partners to bring medical products and services to those in need. IA will also provide education and product support to help local hospitals successfully deploy the donated equipment.

According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 50 percent of medical equipment in developing countries doesn't work. Missing manuals, incompatible power connections and needed repairs turn generous equipment donations into unusable machines. International Aid serves as a critical link between equipment donors and recipients to guarantee equipment donations are ready for use.

"Providing medical equipment, like incubators and ventilators, is important to allow every patient the highest possible level of health," said Donna Leister, manager of sales operations for Draeger Medical, Inc. "We are proud to partner with International Aid and their humanitarian efforts to deliver clinically and economically appropriate medical equipment to hospitals and clinics in need to improve the health and welfare of the wider community."

Since July 2010, International Aid has shipped roughly $33.2 million in health products, prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, nutritional supplements, and medical equipment to needy communities worldwide. In the past 16 years, International Aid has shipped over $800 million of relief worldwide.

"We are very pleased to partner with Draeger," said David Wisen, CEO of International Aid, Inc. "The demand for quality medical equipment globally is very high. We are thankful to have a relationship with a premier manufacturer of medical equipment who also has a desire to assist those in need. Without the kind generosity of Draeger, many of the desperate needs would go unmet."

About International Aid

International Aid (IA) is a Non-profit organization. IA serves by providing enabling resources and support to humanitarian organizations and professionals who tend to the health and medical needs of the poor. It has done so for 3 decades in over 160 developing countries. IA's knowledge, experience, and relationships are noteworthy. Nowhere is that more evident than in the area of medical equipment / supply – what we call Health Technology and Supplies (HTS).

Draeger. Technology for Life®

Draeger is a leading international company in the fields of medical and safety technology. Draeger products protect, support and save lives. Founded in 1889, in 2009 Draeger generated revenues of around EUR 1.9 billion. The Draeger Group is currently present in more than 190 countries and has about 11,000 employees worldwide. Please visit www.draeger.com for more information.

SOURCE Draeger