9.25.2008 - 12:35pm ET

(CSRwire) NEW YORK, Sept. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Clinton Global Initiative recognized BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE: BDX), a leading global medical technology company, for its commitment to the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation (DMF) to enhance immune system monitoring and healthcare worker safety at the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital (BMMH) and Research Center in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

"Under-resourced healthcare systems in Sub-Saharan Africa face fundamental challenges in addressing HIV, TB and other primary causes of mortality," said Gary Cohen, BD Executive Vice President. "BD is pleased to partner with Dikembe Mutombo and his foundation to support their remarkable work in strengthening the healthcare system in the Democratic Republic of the Congo."

BD and DMF -- founded by NBA star Dikembe Mutombo -- are joining forces to develop a Center of Excellence in Immune System Monitoring and Occupational Health that will focus on healthcare delivery, research, education and training at the medical center in Kinshasa.

"The Democratic Republic of the Congo is only now recovering from the ravages of a decade of war and disease," said Mr. Mutombo. "Opened last December, the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital is a state-of-the-art hospital that is improving health, education and quality of life. Through our partnership with BD, the hospital will promote occupational health and safety while expanding the capacity to monitor immune systems. We applaud the Clinton Global Initiative for building widespread public awareness of these critical public health issues."

To improve immune system monitoring -- an essential component of treating people living with HIV/AIDS -- BD will provide and install a BD FACSCount(TM) flow cytometry system and related reagents at the BMMH. BD will also provide good laboratory practice training.

To help ensure the safety of healthcare workers at the facility, DMF will develop a Department of Occupational Health and a Regional Training Center at the BMMH. BD, in collaboration with the University of Virginia, will help implement the Exposure Prevention Information Network (EPINet) surveillance system to monitor occupational injuries at BMMH. BD will also provide a range of safe injection and safe blood collection devices as well as occupational safety training for at least 330 healthcare workers.

DMF will also seek and obtain resources for the development of the Center of Excellence in both immune system monitoring and healthcare worker safety.

BD's commitment amounts to a total of $500,000 in cash and in-kind services over a three-year period. DMF commits to raise $1 million over three years targeted for strengthening occupational safety and lab systems.

About the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI)
Established in 2005 as a project of the non-partisan William J. Clinton Foundation, the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) convenes global leaders to devise and implement innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Since 2005, CGI members have made nearly 1,000 Commitments to Action valued at upwards of $30 billion to improve more than 200 million lives in over 150 countries around the world. Through past Annual Meetings, CGI has brought together more than 80 current and former heads of state, hundreds of top CEOs and non-profit leaders, major philanthropists, and 10 of the last 16 Nobel Peace Prize laureates.

About the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation
The Dikembe Mutombo Foundation is dedicated to improving the health, education and quality of life for the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Foundation strives to accomplish this goal not only by providing comprehensive health care at the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital, but also through an emphasis on primary health care and disease prevention, the promotion of health policy, health research and increased access to health care education for the people of the Congo.

About BD
BD is a leading global medical technology company that develops, manufactures and sells medical devices, instrument systems and reagents. The Company is dedicated to improving people's health throughout the world. BD is focused on improving drug delivery, enhancing the quality and speed of diagnosing infectious diseases and cancers, and advancing research, discovery and production of new drugs and vaccines. BD'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 approximately 28,000 people in approximately 50 countries throughout the world. The Company serves healthcare institutions, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, the pharmaceutical industry and the general public. For more information, please visit www.bd.com.

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