Abbott begins instrument donation programme

Healthcare firm Abbott has revealed the first group of educational facilities set to benefit from free laboratory equipment.

The diagnostics arm of the US company confirmed that a total of seven colleges and nine universities will shortly receive deliveries of a range of devices including hematology instruments as part of its Labs Are Vital initiative.

Among the successful applicants which will also gain an array of automated diagnostic devices and immunoassay analysers are the University of Alaska, Illinois State University and the University of Southern Mississippi.

Don Patton, vice president of global diagnostic commercial operations at the business, commented: “Abbott’s Labs Are Vital programme also addresses the need to train and support the next generation of laboratory professionals on high-tech, real-world equipment.”

He added that clinical laboratories across the US are currently facing severe staff shortages so the scheme is designed to help alleviate these pressures and supply qualified workers in areas where they are needed most.

Some 100 educational establishments applied for a share in the $1 million initiative and Abbott announced that submissions are now being accepted for the second round of awards.

The pharmaceutical company also runs a range of donation schemes under the Abbott Fund brand, which invested more than $340 million in patient programmes, humanitarian relief works and Aids-related initiatives during 2005.