Baxter offers funds to Haiti earthquake aid efforts

Baxter has pledged to support the Haiti earthquake aid operations with $1 million (611 thousand pounds) in funding.

It will do this through the Baxter International Foundation, which has already approved $350,000 of grants for the immediate, acute-care and longer-term needs of the region.

Furthermore, the Baxter International Foundation is activating its Employee Disaster Relief Matching Gift Programme, funds from which will be donated to both CARE and the American Red Cross International Disaster Relief Fund.

The company also revealed that it will work alongside humanitarian aid bodies Direct Relief International and AmeriCares to allow them access to critical resources, such as antibiotics and vital drugs.

Founded in 1981, the Baxter International Foundation has concentrated its efforts on increasing healthcare access for disadvantaged individuals in the communities of company employees.

In other Baxter news, the organisation announced that Kay Ladone, its former vice-president of investor relations, has taken up a place on its board, while Stephanie Shinn was named corporate secretary and board officer.