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Corporate Social Responsibility
News
4.13.2006 ET
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Baxter Highlights Work of World Federation of Hemophilia in Addressing Global Disparities in Hemophilia Care
WFH's Global Alliance for Progress Continues To
Impact Standards of Care in the Developing World
(CSRwire) DEERFIELD, Ill.-In recognition of World Hemophilia Day on April 17,
Baxter Healthcare Corporation has extended its commitment to the World
Federation of Hemophilia's (WFH's) Global Alliance for Progress (GAP), a
10-year program aimed at improving disease management for the 75 percent
of the world's hemophilia population that is living without adequate care.
As a founding sponsor and major contributor to GAP, Baxter applauds WFH's
progress in greatly improving the diagnosis and treatment of hemophilia in
developing countries. To date, Baxter has committed $1.2 million to this
program.
"We know that people with hemophilia who receive high quality care and
have access to the most advanced therapies enjoy significantly longer,
more fulfilling lives," said Mark Skinner, president, WFH. "Programs like
GAP help us achieve our goal of improving quality of life for the global
hemophilia community. Next year we hope to expand our efforts to
additional developing countries to help us reach this goal."
The life expectancy of a child born with hemophilia in a developing
country is less than 20 years, compared to over 60 years in the developed
world. Identification of the condition, access to care and trained
healthcare professionals are the key factors that extend life expectancy
and enhance quality of life.
"On World Hemophilia Day, we should pause to acknowledge the therapeutic
advances and improvements in clinical management practices that have
greatly improved hemophilia care," said Joy Amundson, president of
Baxter's BioScience business. "What is unique about GAP is its strategic
focus for giving that helps assure resources are invested for the most
beneficial return. We at Baxter are proud to be a founding sponsor of GAP
and are committed to continued support of its work in the future."
GAP's Progress
WFH's ultimate goal with GAP is to increase the diagnosis and improve the
treatment of people with hemophilia in up to 30 developing countries.
Only four years into the program, participating countries include:
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Georgia, Jordan, Mexico, the Philippines,
Russia and Thailand. Program focus areas and corresponding milestones
include:
The care delivery system
Identified more than 5,000 new hemophilia patients
Trained/educated more than 2,000 healthcare professionals, regulators and
hemophilia team members
Increased knowledge of hemophilia, a highly underdiagnosed and
undertreated condition in developing countries
Quality and quantity of treatment products
Assured broader access to a high standard of care through agreements
among six countries and WFH
Increased resources by up to 120 percent for hemophilia care and
treatment products
Improved laboratory diagnostic standards in 65 centers across the
globe
Medical expertise and diagnosis
Standardized treatment protocols by publishing Guidelines for the
Management of Hemophilia, the first international guidelines for
hemophilia care
National hemophilia organizations
Motivated hemophilia communities by encouraging countries to form
national organizations and recruit newly- or already-diagnosed people with
hemophilia
About Hemophilia A
People with hemophilia A do not produce adequate amounts of factor VIII,
which is necessary for blood to effectively clot. If untreated, patients
with severe hemophilia A have a greatly reduced life expectancy. According
to the World Health Organization, more than 400,000 people in the world
have hemophilia, corresponding to a prevalence of 15 to 20 in every
100,000 males born worldwide.
About Baxter
Baxter Healthcare Corporation is the principal U.S. operating subsidiary
of Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX). Baxter International Inc.,
through its subsidiaries, assists healthcare professionals and their
patients with the treatment of complex medical conditions, including
cancer, hemophilia, immune disorders, kidney disease and trauma. The
company applies its expertise in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and
biotechnology to make a meaningful difference in patients' lives.
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