News Release

HAUORA O PUKETAPAPA TO HIRE AN OUTREACH NURSE WITH
US$34,000 BAXTER INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION GRANT

Grant will Make Primary Health Care and Health Education
More Accessible to Low-Income Residents of Central Auckland

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND, February 4, 2003 - The Baxter International Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Baxter International Inc., has awarded a US$34,000 grant to Hauora o Puketapapa, a community clinic that provides affordable primary care and health education to people living in the Mt. Roskill, Onehunga, Wesley, Mt. Albert and Owairaka communities of Auckland. The agency will hire a community-based nurse to focus on the needs of the large migrant and refugee community and to bring health education and disease prevention programs to people who have limited access to health care.

Hauora o Puketapapa was established in 2000 after a study by Auckland University revealed that, throughout Greater Auckland, the Mt. Roskill area was most in need of, and most lacking, affordable health care services. The area has a very diverse population that includes Maori, Pacific Nations people and a large number of migrants and refugees from Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

The clinic takes a holistic approach to health care, according to Kate Healey, Manager - Hauora o Puketapapa. "The major challenges we face are language barriers, patients presenting with multiple complex conditions, and significant poverty and social issues that impact on physical and mental health."

Hauora o Puketapapa serves more than 3000 patients annually with one full-time and one part-time general physician, a practice nurse, a receptionist and volunteers. The organization provides comprehensive primary care and health education as well as referrals for mental health care and social services through strong partnerships with other local health care providers, schools and social service organizations.

The clinic's programming is guided by 13 priority health objectives of the New Zealand Primary Health Care Strategy. Objectives include reducing the incidence and impact of cancer, heart disease and diabetes, promoting lifestyle improvements, such as smoking cessation, better nutrition and exercise, and improving mental health issues through suicide, drug abuse and domestic violence prevention. Special efforts targeted to the Maori population focus on immunizations, asthma and diabetes.

The Baxter International Foundation grant will enable Hauora o Puketapapa to hire an additional community-based nurse to meet people in their homes and in community settings to address unmet clinical needs and offer health education.

"By placing a strong emphasis on health education and disease prevention, the Hauora o Puketapapa clinic is poised to make a long-term impact on the health and well being of its community," said Patricia Morgan, executive director of The Baxter International Foundation. "They have made the most of their limited resources and bring the best to their clients through productive partnerships with other community groups."

The Hauora o Puketapapa clinic is a member of the Health Care Aotearoa community health network, which provides affordable primary health care through agreements with the New Zealand Ministry of Health. The clinic's guiding principles are to address community needs as set by the residents themselves, identify and remove barriers to health care, offer comprehensive and holistic services through connections with other service providers, and pursue continuous quality improvement.

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 US$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. is a global medical products and services company that, through its subsidiaries, provides critical therapies for people with life-threatening conditions. Baxter employs approximately 150 people in Auckland and throughout New Zealand.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Media Contacts: Mark Russell, Baxter, (64-9) 574 2400 Kate Healey, Hauora o Puketapapa, (64-9) 629-2872