Baxter International Foundation donates $98,000 to Caritas Malta
The Baxter International Foundation has awarded a $98,000 grant to Caritas Malta to fund the expansion and further development of their human resources in its services spread over a two year period.
The grant awarded this year is the highest one ever awarded by the Baxter International Foundation in Malta, which since 2001 has awarded over $300,000 to local philanthropic associations. These included $65,000 to the Arka Foundation (2001); $50,544 to YMCA (2002); $45,512 to Eden Foundation (2003); $52,532 to JRS (2004); $46,500 to Razzett tal-Hbiberija (2005) and $44,500 to the Hospice Movement (2007).
The funding of the Caritas project will cover the increase in human resources and expertise in the Counselling and Social Work services which will include a counselling psychologist and a clinical psychologist. These will provide assessment and treatment of Caritas clients who require the services of a counselling psychologist and who otherwise would not financially afford such services. The clinical psychologist would also develop further the clinical aspect of all services and programmes, providing supervision to managers and members of staff.
The project also covers training across all services and programmes in the field of addictions, mental health and sexually transmitted infections by subject specialists. The funding will also aid Caritas Malta in promoting increased awareness of the risks of sexually transmitted infections among pupils and students in schools and colleges through the Xefaq Awareness Campaign.
Mgr. Victor Grech, Director of Caritas Malta, expressed his gratitude and said that this donation by the Baxter International Foundation would enable Caritas to improve its services and offer them to more persons in need. He said that Caritas depends to a large extent on donations, and the positive action taken by Baxter exemplifies the fulfilment of a corporate social policy to the benefit of the local community.
Mr Julian Dimech, Director Manufacturing for Baxter, Malta operations, said that “As the philanthropic arm of Baxter International Inc., The Baxter International Foundation’s support to Caritas Malta is a natural one and in line with the company’s philosophy to help increase access to health care worldwide especially in communities where significant number of Baxter employees live and work. As a caring employer Baxter is very proud to support Caritas Malta in its endeavours to help improve the quality of life of our community.”
Baxter has been established in Malta since 1988 and employs around 500 people at its Marsa facility where it manufactures a range of disposable medical devices for the health care industry.
Baxter International Inc. develops, manufactures and markets products that save and sustain the lives of people with haemophilia, immune disorders, infectious diseases, kidney disease, trauma, and other chronic and acute medical conditions. As a global, diversified healthcare company, Baxter applies a unique combination of expertise in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to create products that advance patient care worldwide.
