Medela joins Swiss relief initiative in India providing critical portable suction systems and product training to fight COVID-19
With concern over the COVID-19 health crisis currently prevailing across India, Medela announced today their efforts to provide critical portal airway suction devices. In partnership with the Swiss-Indian Chamber of Commerce, the Embassy of Switzerland in New Delhi, and the Swiss Business Hub India through their Swiss Private Sector India Relief Initiative, Medela is supporting in-country hospitals and local medical staff on the ground in combating COVID-19 with devices that provide crucial suction and fluid removal during respiratory treatment provided by ventilators.
As part of the Swiss Private Sector India Relief Initiative, nearly 40 organisations are contributing a total of more than CHF 7 million in monetary and in-kind support. This includes 100 of Medela’s Vario 18 ACDC suction pumps, which are currently in transit to be deployed locally – the first of several cargo planes of the Swiss Private Sector India Relief Initiative arrived in New Delhi last week. The medical supplies provided by Switzerland are received by the Indian Red Cross and distributed to the hospitals by the Indian Ministry of Health, responsible for coordinating international medical aid, supported by local organisations.
“It is inspiring and moving to see how we unite across countries and industries in this difficult time to stand by India in its hour of need,” said Annette Brüls, CEO of Medela. “We want to contribute to a rapid relief of the situation with the resources at our disposal. Pairing ventilators with mobile suction technology is critical to ensure pulmonary hygiene that is essential for patient care and recovery. Recognising the needs of hospitals around the world during the pandemic, we began ramping up production of mobile suction systems early last year to support patient care and foster recovery. We are thus honoured to contribute to these relief efforts with our products and on-site training for proper and immediate utilization.”
Build better health outcomes
Medela has been a pioneer in suction technology for nearly 60 years and manufactures a suite of professional medical vacuum solutions essential for the treatment of patients who require hospital or intensive medical care. Widely Standard of Care in Europe, the custom-made suction solutions offer mobility for treating people in regions with minimal infrastructure - helping to improve access to care and build better health outcomes.
