BD, Catholic Medical Mission Board Launch HIV/AIDS Project in Zambia
U.S.-based pharmaceutical company BD and the Catholic Medical Mission Board on May 5 announced a collaborative project to help fight HIV/AIDS in Zambia, the Long Island Newsday reports (Long Island Newsday, 5/11). Over a two-week period, which began on May 8, a group of 10 BD employees is working with CMMB at five rural health care facilities in Zambia. The BD volunteers are focusing on increasing awareness of best-practice laboratory and HIV testing, teaching basic skills to local residents, and repairing and renovating local hospitals and clinics (BD release, 5/5). BD matched donations from employees to fund the trip, and money also is being used to buy computers and other equipment for clinics (Long Island Newsday, 5/11). "CMMB is proud to partner in this model employee volunteer program that demonstrates BD's leadership among its industry in the global response to HIV/AIDS," CMMB President and CEO John Galbraith said, adding, "This initiative utilizes CMMB's long-standing global volunteer program expertise and BD's resources and talent to make a real difference in the Zambian communities where the volunteers will work" (BD release, 5/5).
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