Biomet Inc. has donated two shipments containing adult and pediatric orthopedic trauma and fracture management devices to the Haitian relief effort.
Biomet also donated 16,000 braces designed to help patients with leg fractures regain mobility
The total value of the donated medical devices is estimated to be at least $3.1 million. Most of the product donated was manufactured by Biomet's Trauma division, located in Parsippany, N.J.
The first shipment of Biomet product was donated to the United Aid Foundation. The medical devices donated by Biomet will be used by the current UAF team of 11 doctors and nurses to treat disaster victims at a facility located on the border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
A second shipment of Biomet product was donated to the World Vision organization. This donation of medical devices has been sent to the organization's 90,000-square-foot distribution center, recently opened in Miami, Fla., through which large quantities of emergency and recovery goods are then sent to Haiti.
Biomet also has made cash contributions to the American Red Cross and additional contributions of product through other organizations.
These contributions include devices to assist in the repair of skull and jaw fractures, which are manufactured by Biomet Microfixation, headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla.
Jeff Binder, president and CEO of Biomet Inc., said, "We have an obligation to help the people of Haiti heal from the devastation they have experienced. The challenges facing Haiti, and the volunteers from the medical profession, cannot be overstated. We are proud to be part of this global aid effort to alleviate the suffering of the Haitian people, and to support the medical volunteers who are working around the clock to treat the injured." Glen Kashuba, president of Biomet's Trauma Division, stated, "The horrific devastation and human suffering taking place in Haiti are heart wrenching. This type of tragedy demands medical assistance of every kind, including the treatment of traumatic injuries afflicting both adults and children. Our trauma division team members coordinated tirelessly with volunteer U.S. surgeons on the ground in Haiti to determine the types of devices most urgently required by the relief effort."
Biomet continues to work with relief agencies and doctors to identify additional supply requirements, and intends to continue its support through future donations.
