ISELIN, N.J., Jan. 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Ansell (ASX:
ANN), a global leader in protection solutions, today announced that
it has donated medical and industrial products to Direct Relief in
response to the Haiyan typhoon disaster. The medical products,
donated from facilities throughout Ansell global operations,
include 1.7 million pieces of medical exam gloves and more than
680,000 pairs of surgical gloves to assist in Direct Relief's
support of local health services. In addition, industrial and
specialty market gloves will be utilized in recovery and rebuilding
efforts. This product donation constitutes the largest product
donation to a single organization in response to a natural disaster
in the Company's history.
Currently, 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, is working closely with the Philippines Department of
Health Provincial Health Offices in Regions 6, 7 and 8 – those
regions in the Visayas most heavily impacted by the typhoon. Over
120 healthcare facilities have been assessed by Direct Relief and
Direct Relief's partners on the ground; evaluating medical needs
and structural damage to determine how most effectively to respond.
In addition to the Department of Health's hospitals and clinics,
Direct Relief is also supporting medical teams active throughout
the Visayas, many of whom are not only administering a variety of
health services, but are helping families physically rebuild their
livelihoods as well.
"We are proud to partner with Direct Relief in responding to the
needs of those affected by this natural disaster in the Philippines," said Magnus Nicolin, Ansell Managing Director and
CEO. "It is our hope that these Ansell products will be
instrumental in facilitating measurable progress in the recovery
effort for the healthcare sector, as well as in rebuilding of
the Philippines communities."
Products have been shipped from Ansell facilities
throughout the world, including Malaysia, Sri
Lanka, Belgium,
United States and Australia. Healthcare products include
surgical (synthetic and latex) and exam gloves such as the Ansell
GAMMEX™, DermaPrene®, and
MICRO-TOUCH® brands. Industrial products include medium-
to heavy-duty work gloves from the Ansell
NITRASAFE® product line. Specialty Markets gloves
include Projex® Do-it-Yourself work gloves.
"Ansell's extraordinary steps to source rapidly and provide
surgical, exam, and industrial gloves in the wake of Typhoon
Haiyan's destruction have been amazing and critically important,"
said Thomas Tighe, President and
Chief Executive Officer at Direct Relief. "Gloves are
essential items for patient care and infection control in the
health emergency caused by Typhoon Haiyan. Direct Relief is so
deeply thankful that Ansell's leadership and team recognized that
they were in a unique position to assist in this crisis and that
they responded in an unprecedented way that is so helpful to people
in the Philippines in their time
of critical need."
Ansell will continue to work with Direct Relief through the
course of this effort as the region continues rebuilding and
returns to a level of normalcy after this catastrophe. This effort
is consistent with the commitment of Ansell in responding to
natural disasters and providing support as necessary. Ansell has
responded to other major disasters in the past, including Hurricane
Katrina, the fires in Australia,
and the tsunami in Southeast
Asia.
About Ansell
Ansell is a world leader in providing
superior health and safety protection solutions that enhance human
well-being.
With operations in North
America, Latin
America/Caribbean, EMEA and
Asia, Ansell employs more than
13,000 people worldwide and holds leading positions in the personal
protective equipment and medical gloves market, as well as in the
sexual health and well-being category worldwide. Ansell operates in
four main business segments: Medical Solutions, Industrial
Solutions, Specialty Markets and Sexual Wellness.
Information on Ansell and its products can be found at
www.ansell.com.
SOURCE Ansell Limited