FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J. and GENEVA, Nov. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) and the International Council of Nurses (ICN) announced today a multi-year initiative to provide health and wellness services to healthcare providers working on the front lines in several African nations.
In sub-Saharan Africa, healthcare systems are experiencing a severe scarcity of healthcare workers, due to the HIV pandemic, migration and very difficult working conditions. This human capacity crisis is colliding with the overwhelming healthcare needs of the region, weakening already fragile systems, challenged in delivering both basic and life-saving health services. Together, BD and ICN are working with national nurses associations in sub- Saharan Africa to help strengthen and revitalize these systems through wellness centers providing care for healthcare workers who, in turn, will be able to better care for their patients and communities.
The collaboration between BD and ICN focuses on the development of wellness centers to provide comprehensive health services for these vital healthcare workers and their immediate families. The ultimate goal is to provide funding and material necessary to sustain a healthy, motivated and productive healthcare work force, leading to a strengthened healthcare delivery system in sub-Saharan Africa. It is estimated that the program will reach 40,000 healthcare workers and their immediate families.
“By helping those who help others, we move one step closer to our goal of increasing access to care for all HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis patients in sub- Saharan Africa,” said Gary Cohen, Executive Vice President, BD. “The wellness centers will give these critical healthcare workers the tools they need to effectively care for themselves and their families.”
The first-ever Wellness Centre for Healthcare Workers was officially opened in September 2006 in Manzini, Swaziland, and is run by the Swaziland Nurses Association. It has been held up as a model of good practice by many global organizations, including the World Health Organization and Physicians for Human Rights. The Centre is also being provided support by the Stephen Lewis Foundation and the national nurses association of Denmark.
“In offering quality, confidential healthcare services responsive to the needs of Swaziland’s healthcare workers and their families we will also address the severe health human resources crisis affecting Swaziland and much of sub-Saharan Africa,” stated Masitsela Mhlanga, President of the Swaziland Nurses Association. “These centers and services must also be rolled out to the rest of the country, and we are grateful for the pledge of support from BD.”
Following Swaziland, wellness centers will also be developed for healthcare providers in Lesotho, Zambia and Malawi. They will be led and managed by the ICN member national nurses associations in those countries, in partnership with ICN and with the support of the country’s Ministry of Health. The program will offer a range of services, including testing, counseling and treatment for HIV and TB; antenatal services, including Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTC); stress management; post exposure prophylaxis; screening for chronic conditions and a training and resource/knowledge center for continuous professional development.
“Nurses and other healthcare workers in sub-Saharan Africa are affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic at the same devastating rate as the general population, but have the additional burden of the care and treatment of the sick in extremely difficult working conditions,” said Judith Oulton, ICN’s Chief Executive Officer. “We hope these centers will address the issues faced by healthcare workers who are over stressed, under valued, and often at risk for infection.”
As part of this initiative BD will: -- Commit $120,000 in cash support to the ICN to help fund local wellness centers; -- Include ICN in its awareness and advocacy efforts as part of BD’s Trusted Partners campaign, providing ICN with promotional materials, journal ads and general awareness materials. -- Work with ICN to promote Good Clinical Practices training at the wellness centers, estimated at a value of more than $200,000 over the next three years and focusing on hands-on training for safe injection and safe blood draw. About ICN
The International Council of Nurses (ICN) is a federation of national nurses associations in 129 countries and represents the more than 13 million nurses working worldwide. Founded in 1899, ICN is the first and widest reaching international organization for health professionals and works to ensure quality care for people everywhere. Through its three main program areas -- regulation, professional practice and socioeconomic welfare -- ICN focuses on advancing nursing and health worldwide, while working on the ground with its members to advance development and contribute directly to the Millennium Development Goals.
The Swaziland, Lesotho, Zambian and Malawi Nurses Associations are valued members of ICN and partners in many important areas including, the Wellness Centres for Healthcare Workers program; the ICN/MSD Mobile Nursing Library initiative for nurses serving populations in remote areas; the Girl Child Education Fund putting orphan girls back to school; malaria and TB training programs; and, the nursing library for refugee health.
About BD
BD, a leading global medical technology company that manufactures and sells medical devices, instrument systems and reagents, is dedicated to improving people’s health throughout the world. BD is focused on improving drug therapy, enhancing the quality and speed of diagnosing infectious diseases, and advancing research and discovery of new drugs and vaccines. The Company’s capabilities are instrumental in combating many of the world’s most pressing diseases. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, BD employs more than 25,000 people in approximately 50 countries throughout the world. The Company serves healthcare institutions, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, industry and the general public. For more information, please visit www.bd.com.
BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company)
CONTACT: Alyssa Zeff of BD Public Relations, +1-201-847-4358, Work,+1-917-273-3685, Cell, alyssa_zeff@bd.com; or Linda Carrier-Walker,Director, Development and External Relations of International Council ofNurses, +41-22-908-0100, +41-79-310-1488, cell, carrwalk@icn.ch
Web site: http://www.bd.com/
