Mölnlycke Health Care

In the midst of tragedy - our Japanese employees do what they can to help

By: Ann-Kathrin Halvorsen, April 1 2011Posted in: Mölnlycke Health Care

Since the March 11 earthquake and resulting aftershocks, tsunami and situation at nuclear facilities, we have received regular updates from our Japanese employees.  None of our colleagues were hurt during the earthquake and they quickly turned the focus to their communities to see what could be done to help. “Our people are committed and determined to support the company, our customers, injured people, and rescue workers in any way they can,” says Kanichi Ishii, Country manager Japan.

“We will support the people in the north of Japan who are affected by both the tsunami and earthquake by donating our products through several organizations. However, so far it has been very hard for transports to get through to the northern areas of the country,” says Kumiko Shioda, Business Manager Wound Care Japan.

Kanichi continues: “As a first step we donated 136,000 pairs of masks to the Tokyo Municipal Government. They established routes to carry products to the hardest-hit areas very early on. We’re also planning to send out 31,000 pairs of surgical gloves to the local Nursing Associations.” “We will also help by donating wound care products. Some of the evacuees are weak and elderly and have started developing pressure ulcers; healthcare professionals are asking specifically for products with Safetac,” says Kumiko. “We’re glad we can help and we’ll also send a clinical specialist as a volunteer.”

Our Japanese colleagues are bravely carrying on and are determined to get back to “normal life” as soon as possible. We are very impressed by the perseverance shown by our Japanese co-workers during the recent tragedy and their steadfast commitment to their families, fellow citizens, and customers. They truly inspire confidence.