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AbbVie, Direct Relief provide medical supplies for emergency response

By on August 22, 2019

(Screen capture of www.abbvie.com)

In backpacks designed to support rescuers, first aid personnel

SAN JUAN – Employees from drugmaker AbbVie’s manufacturing sites in Puerto Rico assembled 480 first-aid backpacks equipped with medical supplies, which Direct Relief, the humanitarian support organization, will distribute on the island.

The backpacks were specially designed to support rescuers and first aid personnel in emergencies and disasters.

“As part of our commitment to Puerto Rico, the AbbVie Manufacturing Plants team was organized to assemble the first aid backpacks in record time, supporting preparedness for emergency and disaster response on the island,” said David Thompson, leader of the AbbVie Biotechnology Limited Plant (ABL). 

Luis David Rodríguez, a program specialist for Direct Relief, said the first-aid backpacks are the main item requested of the entity in emergencies and disasters.

“First-aid backpacks will help primary health centers, rescuers, and first-time personnel with essential materials and equipment in the task of saving lives in emergencies. The voluntary work of AbbVie employees supports our efforts,” Rodríguez said.

Among the supplies contained in each backpack are a stethoscope, blood-pressure monitor, otoscope, thermometer and first aid items such as gauzes, bandages, a mask for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), among others.

Direct Relief will be distributing the backpacks to Primary Health Centers 330, which work with emergency response and the Puerto Rico Medical Reserve Corps, among other entities. The backpacks were funded through AbbVie’s donation to Direct Relief to strengthen the health services system, following Hurricane Maria.

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