AO and Synthes provide medical aid for tsunami victims in Southeast Asia
Philadelphia (PA)/USA and Solothurn/Switzerland, January 11, 2005The AO Foundation and its industrial partner Synthes, Inc. have initiated an emergency aid campaign to support surgical treatment of people injured in the tsunami disaster. Urgently needed surgical material was sent to the region already before year-end. Further actions are planned in close collaboration with AO surgeons in the disaster area evaluating local needs.
On hearing about the tsunami catastrophe the AO Foundation and Synthes contacted the SDC (Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation) on the evening of December 26. The plans for an emergency aid campaign were welcomed by the SDC. The support offered by the AO and Synthes will concentrate on medical aid in hospitals.
According to the information of AO surgeons on site, the massive impact of the water has caused many open fractures and therefore contaminated wounds, spinal injuries and lacerations. Surgical materials such as external fixators are urgently needed. Synthes has organized the shipment of the appropriate material to the region without delay. First deliveries of equipment have been flown to Thailand and Indonesia.
While initially it didn't seem that direct medical aid in the form of surgeons would be necessary, it has become evident that in some areas (e.g. in Sumatra) the hospitals have either been destroyed or are entirely inadequate. Therefore, teams of Swiss, Dutch and Austrian surgeons supported by the AO flew to Sumatra. The support of local AO surgeons and Synthes agencies has been invaluable in the logistics of the distribution.
Further action by the AO and Synthes will depend on the local needs, which are currently being evaluated by the surgeon community in the disaster area. The AO Foundation and Synthes are committed to providing their support wherever possible, and have made funds and material available for this purpose.
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 External fixator used for tsunami victims |
For further information please contact
Peter Fehlmann, Investor Relations, Synthes, Inc.
Phone: +41 32 720 48 10 , Fax: +41 32 720 48 11
e-mail: ir.info@synthes.com