News release

HPIC President accompanies medical aid shipment to Port-au-Prince

MONTREAL (January 25, 2010) - The first major shipment of medical aid from Health Partners International of Canada (HPIC) arrived at Port-au-Prince Airport accompanied by HPIC President Glen Shepherd on Jan. 23.

"We are grateful to Air Canada for providing free cargo and transportation," Shepherd says. "I was so impressed by the Air Canada crew and staff, all of whom volunteered their time to take down these essential medicines and supplies and to bring back orphans and evacuees. I will never forget this experience."

Canada's pharmaceutical industry is mobilizing a significant response to the Haiti catastrophe and is channeling their donations through HPIC, a relief and development organization dedicated to improving access to medicine and improving health in the developing world. This first major shipment consisted of over $67,000 worth of antibiotics, analgesics, vitamins and other medicines on lists of needed medicine provided by partners on the ground.

"These medicines are going to the Northwest Haiti Christian Mission Clinic," says Shepherd. "HPIC has worked with this clinic for years through Northwest Haiti Christian Mission Canada. It was such a privilege to accompany it."

The clinic, which regularly receives medicines and supplies from HPIC, had already used medicines from HPIC that had arrived prior to the earthquake to treat victims.

"I want to thank HPIC, Air Canada and Canada's pharmaceutical industry for making this happen," says Rev. Tina Simpson-Leslie of Northwest Haiti Christian Mission Canada. "My colleagues in Haiti are very encouraged by this concrete help. I know it will save lives and ease suffering. From the bottom of my heart, thank you."

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Health Partners International of Canada is a humanitarian not-for-profit relief and development organization dedicated to improving access to medicine and enhancing health in the developing world. HPIC contributes to well-being by providing donated essential medicines, supplies and vaccines, building national health sector capacities, and responding to emergencies and health threats. We partner with a network of ministries of health, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and healthcare professionals, with healthcare product companies, and with Canadian government departments; and we count on the financial support of individual donors, foundations and corporations. Because of our unique model, HPIC multiplies every donated dollar to provide, without discrimination, at least $10 of free medical aid.

About HPIC

Health Partners International of Canada is a humanitarian not-for-profit relief and development organization dedicated to improving access to medicine and enhancing health in the developing world. HPIC contributes to well-being by providing donated essential medicines, supplies and vaccines, building national health sector capacities, and responding to emergencies and health threats. We partner with a network of ministries of health, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and healthcare professionals, with pharmaceutical and healthcare product companies, and with Canadian government departments; and we count on the financial support of individual donors, foundations and corporations. Because of our unique model, HPIC multiplies every donated dollar to provide, without discrimination, at least $10 of free medical aid.

For more information contact:
Christina Parsons
Director, Corporate Communications
514-822-1112, ext. 119
email: