"Introducing the Essure® Procedure in Kenya was a Groundbreaking Experience"

WomanCare Global Completes Essure Training Bringing Access to Simple Permanent Birth Control to Women in Turkey, Mexico, Kenya, Ghana and Rwanda

LONDON, Aug. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- WomanCare Global completed an extensive training initiative for 78 physicians in conjunction with the launch and introduction of Essure in Turkey, Mexico and 3 African countries. Each training program, facilitated by Matthew Reeves, MD, MPH, WomanCare Global's Vice President for Medical Affairs, involved extensive use of the state-of-the art virtual reality Essure Simulator, donated to WomanCare Global by its manufacturer VirtaMed AG.  VirtaMed's simulators combine classroom teaching and practical training, with the goal of offering physicians the best education possible. The Essure procedure, FDA approved since 2002, is the first permanent birth control method that can be performed in a physician's office in less than 10 minutes (average hysteroscopic time) without hormones, cutting, burning or the risks associated with general anesthesia or tubal ligation.

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"Introducing the Essure procedure into Kenya was a groundbreaking experience," said Dr. Rafique Parkar, MBBS, Mmed., Dipl Lap Surg., Director of the International Centre for Minimal Access Surgery in Nairobi. "The training course benefited greatly by using the VirtaMed simulator prior to live cases.  We have already received several enquiries for Essure."

"We love to support WomanCare Global in making a change to the way surgeons are being trained, especially in developing countries," said Dr. Stefan Tuchschmid, CEO of VirtaMed AG. "Every woman should have the choice and access to a well-educated surgeon. We are very much looking forward to working with WomanCare and tracking the simulator's path around the globe."

There are more than 200 million women globally who have an unmet need for modern contraception. WomanCare Global believes that every woman should be able to choose, obtain and use quality reproductive health products. Too often, women in developing countries do not have access to the quality contraceptives that we take for granted in the United States and WomanCare Global is pleased to introduce Essure to women in Turkey, Mexico and Africa.

"We are very excited about providing women access to Essure," said Saundra Pelletier, CEO of WomanCare Global.  "The partnership we have forged with Conceptus and VirtaMed will result in a positive impact on women's lives and we thank both companies for their strong commitment to women all over the world."

About WomanCare Global
WomanCare Global seeks to significantly impact the lives of women by providing access to affordable, quality reproductive health products. The organization believes that any woman, no matter where she lives, should have control over her reproductive health and family planning needs, ultimately improving her ability to care for herself and her family. WomanCare Global strives to close the gaps between the availability of products in developing countries versus the developed world by creating a sustainable supply of effective options that will contribute to the safety, security and stability of women and their families. WomanCare Global continues to add products to its expanding portfolio, and—through its subsidiary Devapharma—makes products available in more than 110 countries, with particular focus on under-served markets in Africa, Asia and Latin America.  For more information, please visit www.womancareglobal.org.

About VirtaMed AG
VirtaMed is a Swiss company with an interdisciplinary background in medicine and engineering. Our mission is to develop state-of-the-art training tools for endoscopic surgery of highest possible realism, all with the ultimate goal to improve the quality of patient care. VirtaMed's virtual reality simulators provide instructional teaching and training of different diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic interventions. The simulator family includes HystSim™ for hysteroscopic interventions, TURPSim for prostate resection and will soon offer virtual reality training in knee arthroscopy with the new ArthroS.  Today, many teaching institutions and medical device companies use VirtaMed's simulators globally for education and hands-on training. For more information on upcoming events and demo opportunities please visit www.virtamed.com.

About Conceptus, Inc.
Conceptus, Inc. is a leader in the design, development and marketing of innovative solutions in women's healthcare. The company manufactures and markets the Essure procedure. The Essure procedure is available in the United States, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, Central and South America and the Middle East.

Essure is a registered trademark of Conceptus, Inc.  The Essure procedure may not be suitable for all women and there are risks. The procedure is not reversible, and you must use another form of birth control for at least three months after the procedure. Risks may include cramping/pain, nausea/vomiting, dizziness/light-headedness, bleeding/spotting. Visit www.essure.com for a complete list of risks and considerations.

SOURCE WomanCare Global