Bayer HealthCare Announces Recipients of 2010 WFH International Hemophilia Nursing Fellowship

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, July 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Bayer HealthCare announced today the recipients of the 2010 World Federation of Hemophilia's International Hemophilia Nursing Fellowship (IHNF).  This global initiative, supported by Bayer, provides hemophilia education and training to nurses in developing countries – areas where hemophilia-trained healthcare professionals are in short supply.  The nurse applicants were from 11 different countries (Algeria, Brazil, Cameroon, Chile, China, Eritrea, Laos, Morocco, Paraguay, South Africa and Venezuela).  Four recipients were selected from the 66 applications, the largest number since the program began in 2005.

"Our goal is to help improve expertise, disease management, and, ultimately, achieve our goal of Treatment for All members of the global hemophilia community.  Currently, 70 percent of people with hemophilia worldwide go undiagnosed, and 75 percent of the world's hemophilia population is living without adequate care, the majority of whom live in developing countries," said Mark Skinner, president, World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH).  "The life expectancy of a child born with hemophilia in a developing country is less than 20 years.  Providing nursing professionals from these areas is a key factor in identifying and treating hemophilia.  We greatly appreciate the support Bayer provides to make this program a success."

This year's fellowship winners are:

• Ms. Soundala Bounpheng from Laos assigned to train in Bangkok, Thailand
• Mr. Chafik Kouache from Algeria assigned to train in Paris, France
• Ms. Griselda Maita from Venezuela assigned to train in Brasilia, Brazil
• Ms. Yun Fang from China assigned to train in Calgary, Alberta, Canada

The Fellowship recipients will travel to their assigned WFH-designated International Hemophilia Training Center (IHTC) to be paired with a certified hemophilia nurse for four to six weeks of clinical and laboratory training, helping them bring much-needed skills and training back to their communities and serving as a vital resource to local hemophilia patients and their families.

"I am honored to be one of the nurses selected for this prestigious fellowship," said Chafik Kouache, nursing fellowship award winner from Algeria.  "The program gives me an opportunity to learn from the best minds in hemophilia care, and to apply that knowledge to positively impact people with hemophilia in my country."

"Twenty-one nursing professionals have received the award since the program's inception in 2005.  We would like to congratulate this year's fellowship recipients, and thank them for their remarkable commitment to improving the global standard of care for hemophilia patients," said Hansjoerg Duerr, PhD, Head Global Therapeutic Area Hematology, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals.  "Bayer is a global sponsor of WFH and proud to support this WFH initiative in its fifth year as it continues to provide a unique opportunity for talented recipients to receive the training necessary to make a life-long difference to people with hemophilia within their communities."

Bayer HealthCare serves as the exclusive sponsor of the IHNF, further demonstrating its leadership and commitment to support improving the quality of care for all people living with hemophilia.  The company has shown its support to the global hemophilia nursing community in many additional ways, including training and support programs.

About Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. is the U.S.-based pharmaceuticals operation of Bayer HealthCare, an affiliate of Bayer AG.  One of the world's leading, innovative companies in the healthcare and medical products industry, Bayer HealthCare combines the global activities of the Animal Health, Consumer Care, Diabetes Care, and Pharmaceuticals divisions.  In the United States, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals comprises the following business units: Women's Healthcare, Diagnostic Imaging, General Medicine, Hematology/Neurology, and Oncology.  The company's aim is to discover and manufacture products that will improve human health worldwide by diagnosing, preventing and treating diseases.

Forward-looking statements

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SOURCE Bayer HealthCare