|
NAGA
RECEIVES $45,000 GRANT FROM BAXTER INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION
Funding Supports
Health Care For Immigrants and Refugees in Milan
MILAN, ITALY, June
26, 2002 -- The Baxter International Foundation, the philanthropic arm
of Baxter International Inc., has awarded a $45,000 grant to NAGA, a not-for-profit
organization that provides health care and social services to immigrants
and refugees in Milan, Italy, who do not have access the national health
system. Funds will support primary and specialty health care provided
at NAGA's main clinic and through a mobile clinic that makes evening visits
to neighborhoods with large refugee populations.
Among Milan's 1.3 million residents are about 100,000 immigrants and refugees.
They come largely from Eastern European and North African countries --
including Albania, Bulgaria, Moldavia, Morocco, Romania, Russia and the
Ukraine -- to seek a better life. On their way to Italy, many have spent
time in overcrowded and unsanitary detainee camps with minimal or no health-care
services. In Milan, they often find themselves without money or jobs,
gathered with other immigrants in poor neighborhoods. Some suffer injuries
and psychological scars from torture, but most of their health problems
-- such as respiratory illnesses, digestive problems and parasitic infections
-- arise from their poor living conditions.
NAGA is the only health-care organization in Milan dedicated to helping
refugees. "We are founded on the principle that health care is a
basic human right," said Franca Rinaldi, president of NAGA. "Our
mission is to ensure that people get the health care they need regardless
of their race, religion or political party."
The NAGA clinic serves about 8,000 people per year. A cadre of health-care
professionals volunteer their time to provide primary care and specialty
services, including gynecology, infectious disease, cardiology, neurology,
surgery, psychology and psychiatry.
NAGA's "Medicine in the Streets" program takes health care directly
to neighborhoods where immigrants live. A large vehicle is outfitted as
a mobile clinic to reach out to people who cannot get to the main clinic
for various reasons, such as lack of transportation or lack of awareness.
The mobile unit offers primary care, links to specialty services and informational
materials in several languages about disease prevention, hygiene and sanitation.
The mobile clinic reaches about 1,000 people per year.
"Like NAGA, The Baxter International Foundation has a mission to
bring health care to people who need it most," said Patricia Morgan,
executive director of the foundation. "NAGA is reaching thousands
of individuals and families who have suffered extreme hardship and have
nowhere else to turn for health care. By reaching these people and treating
communicable disease, NAGA also makes a valuable contribution to Milan's
public health."
NAGA was formed in 1987 to serve the social and health needs of people
excluded from the national health system for economic, cultural or legal
reasons. In addition to its main clinic and mobile clinic, the organization
offers special services for people seeking political asylum and for prisoners.
NAGA also operates a documents center that compiles information about
the demographics of the immigrant population and legal issues related
to immigration.
As the philanthropic arm of Baxter International Inc., The Baxter International
Foundation helps to increase access to health care in the United States
and other countries. In 2001, foundation grants totaling $4.8 million
improved access to care for children, the uninsured and the elderly, helped
prevent child abuse and neglect, promoted health education, expanded education
opportunities for health-care providers, and helped victims of global
disasters.
Baxter International Inc. a global health care company that, through its
subsidiaries, provides critical therapies for people with life-threatening
conditions. Baxter's bioscience, medication delivery and renal products
and services are used to treat patients with some of the most challenging
medical conditions, including cancer, hemophilia, immune deficiencies,
infectious diseases, kidney disease and trauma. Baxter employs more than
1,000 people in Italy at its facilities in Firenze, Grossetto, Milano,
Mirandola, Padova, Pisa, Roma, Rieti and Trieste.
|
