Vestergaard, a global leader in developing innovative products for a healthier planet, today donated the Emusanda Maternity Ward to provide high-quality maternal and child health services to the people of Lurambi Sub-County in western Kenya. In the spirit of International Women’s Day this week, Vestergaard and the Government of Kenya are demonstrating their collective commitment to maternal and child health and are pressing for progress through partnership.

In 2008, Vestergaard implemented the Integrated Prevention Campaign that combined voluntary testing and counselling (VCT) for HIV and AIDS with the distribution of a CarePack® of disease preventing tools – LifeStraw® water filters, PermaNet® long-lasting insecticide treated bed nets, condoms and education materials. This program provided testing for more than 47,000 people in seven days and tested more than 80 percent of the target population for the first time. As a result of combining VCT with the provision of a comprehensive pack of life-saving products, the campaign contributed to lower stigma for HIV/AIDS testing, increased linkage to care for those who tested positive and delayed progression of HIV by providing healthy living through disease-preventing technologies. It also demonstrated a cost-effective approach to providing health care services at scale.

As a result of this testing campaign, in January 2009, Vestergaard rehabilitated and donated the Emusanda Health Facility to ensure every person tested had access to health care services including primary care, child health services and treatment for HIV and AIDS. In 2017, this facility was handed over to the Government of Kenya and in celebration of this handover, Vestergaard constructed a maternity ward to provide the highest quality maternal and child health to the community. This maternity ward is equipped with technologies previously unavailable in this region.

“As a company founded on public health, the wellbeing of our mothers and children are paramount to our success,” said Mikkel Vestergaard, owner and CEO of Vestergaard. “We believe responsibility goes beyond delivering products, and what started with an HIV testing campaign also became an HIV clinic, a child care clinic, a state of the art laboratory and a pharmacy, which have been fully equipped and stocked for the nearly 10 years we have managed the Emusanda Health Center. Building the maternity ward is not only the right thing to do in a country where more than 90 percent of maternal death is due to poor care, but is also part of our commitment as we hand over the Emusanda Health Center to the Kenyan government after a successful decade of operation.”

More than 48,000 patients have been treated at Emusanda since the health facility was opened in 2009, and today, more than 1,000 patients are provided with healthcare services every month. With the opening of the Emusanda Maternity Ward, the health facility qualifies as a Level 3 Health Center and will have access to more resources to provide the community with health services.

To connect and learn more, visit www.vestergaard.com

Vestergaard

Vestergaard is a family owned global health company dedicated to improving the health of vulnerable people, most of whom live in developing countries. Our game-changing solutions contribute to a healthier, more sustainable planet by fighting malaria, HIV/AIDS, diarrheal diseases and neglected tropical diseases. Additional company initiatives are focused on enhancing food security.

Vestergaard is the largest producer of long-lasting insecticidal bed nets. Our PermaNet® bednets have played a significant role in last decade’s highly successful fight against malaria. More than one billion people have benefited from PermaNet® bed nets, which have contributed to the reduction in deaths from malaria by more than one third.

Breakthrough solutions also include the award-winning LifeStraw® water filters and purifiers, which was named "Invention of the Year" by Time magazine.   

Vestergaard is headquartered in Switzerland and has offices around the world where highly skilled staff members work with stakeholders to ensure global reach with local support. We’re proud to be a valued and trusted partner to governments, aid agencies, NGOs, faith-based groups and the private sector. 

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Vestergaard SA

Vestergaard SA

Vestergaard is a family owned global health company dedicated to improving the health of vulnerable people, most of whom live in developing countries. Our game-changing solutions contribute to a healthier, more sustainable planet by fighting malaria, HIV/AIDS, diarrheal diseases and neglected tropical diseases. Additional company initiatives are focused on enhancing food security. Vestergaard is the largest producer of long-lasting insecticidal bed nets. Our PermaNet® bed nets have played a significant role in last decade’s highly successful fight against malaria. More than one billion people have benefited from PermaNet® bed nets, which have contributed to the reduction in deaths from malaria by more than one third. Breakthrough solutions also include the award-winning LifeStraw® water filter, which was named "One of Ten Things that Will Change the Way we Live" by Forbes magazine. Vestergaard is headquartered in Switzerland and has offices around the world where highly skilled staff members work with stakeholders to ensure global reach with local support. We’re proud to be a valued and trusted partner to governments, aid agencies, NGOs, faith-based groups and the private sector.

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