UAE donates hand disinfectants to Ebola- stricken West Africa

UAE donates hand disinfectants to Ebola- stricken West Africa

By Justine Wangui
 justinewangui@gmail.com

Raman Singh, Mundipharma’s President, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa.

Dubai, UAE –Mundipharma (network of privately owned companies and joint ventures covering the world's pharmaceutical markets) in partnership with Direct Relief (a non-profit, non-partisan organization that provides medical assistance to people around the world who have been affected by poverty, natural disasters, and civil unrest) has donated at least two million handwashes to Ebola treatment centers in West Africa in support of the fight against the spread of the epidemic.   This initiative is currently being implemented by Mundipharma employees globally in a practical drive to address the escalating medical needs of Ebola patients.

“Mundipharma is committed to support the international aid efforts against Ebola.  We hope that our proactive approach will enable Direct Relief to continue with its quick and efficient provision of important preventive measures in limiting the outbreak of this serious and growing health issue,” says Raman Singh, President, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa. “The donation of BETADINE is wholly consistent with our mission and commitment to improving the health and quality of life of the human race everywhere, even in the most extreme circumstances such as these and emphasize our focus on caring for the most needy.” 

Thomas Tighe, Chief Executive Officer of Direct Relief with pleasure put it that the partnership’s focus is to prevent further spread of Ebola.  “We are very pleased to partner with Mundipharma in continuation with our relentless efforts to combat Ebola at this crucial time.  Minimizing further spread of the virus is a fundamental step in our fight against Ebola and providing aid workers, healthcare professionals and the general population with a means to implement proper hand hygiene via Mundipharma’s donations will play an important role in our task,” he said.

The vast spread of Ebola virus in West Africa has been linked to the insufficiency of health care centers.  The World Health Organisation has declared Ebola a worldwide health concern. The organization advises that the possibility of contracting the disease can be prevented at best by practicing proper hygiene.  “Hand hygiene is the most important infection prevention and control measure,” says WHO.

Use of BETADINE to contain the spread of Ebola has been endorsed by the Australian Department of Health and Ageing.   Its trusted use as an antiseptic for more than 50 years, existence of multiple publications of BETADINE together with its general efficacy against viruses has triggered Mundipharma to consider   BETADINE in the fight against Ebola spread.  With this partnership, Mundipharma will supply BETADINE Surgical Scrub and BETADINE Scalp & Skin Cleanser, a well-known antiviral, to provide hand disinfection even in areas without access to clean running water

 Evidence has clearly shown that close unprotected face-to-face contact without adequate personal equipment (including eye protection) exposes others at moderate risk of acquiring the disease.  The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control states that Ebola virus is often found in saliva.  Health workers, family members in close contact with infected people and mourners who have direct contact with the bodies of the deceased during burials are at a higher risk of infection.

The vast spread of Ebola virus in West Africa has been linked to the insufficiency of health care centers.  The World Health Organisation has declared Ebola a worldwide health concern. The organization advises that the possibility of contracting the disease can be prevented at best by practicing proper hygiene.  “Hand hygiene is the most important infection prevention and control measure,” says WHO.

(Source : Mundipharma Pte Ltd)