HOUSTON
April 3, 2009

Hashoo Foundation USA and Medical Bridges are shipping a forty-foot ocean-freight container filled with life-saving medical supplies and rehabilitation equipment destined for Pakistan. The Houston-based organizations recognize the need to challenge healthcare inequities in the developing world by devising solutions that leveraged the city’s reputation as a hub for premier healthcare. "Building bridges and understanding between Pakistan and Houston is exemplified by the blossoming new Houston-Karachi Sister City relationship," said Houston Mayor Bill White. "Providing humanitarian aid through the Hashoo Foundation USA and Medical Bridges program is good way to strengthen those ties."

Eduardo Rivoldi, Director of International Operations of Medical Bridges, said “Houston is wellknown for its oil and gas industry, but Houston also has the advantage of having one of the largest and best Medical Centers in the world. We believe that this is the first of many shipments that Medical Bridges will send in collaboration with the Hashoo Foundation. The Hashoo Foundation USA and Medical Bridges, Inc. are building a relationship based on mutual cooperation and understanding to continue bridging the healthcare gap, connecting those who have with those who hope,” he said.

The container will be fully loaded with pallets of medical supplies, beds, exam tables, gurneys, wheel chairs, and rehabilitation equipment from Medical Bridges network of donor hospitals in the Houston area. The inventory has an inventory value of more than US $150,000.

The container is scheduled to depart from the Port of Houston on April 3, 2009, and is expected to arrive in the Port of Karachi by May 18th. The Hashoo Foundation (HF) team in Pakistan will receive the container and distribute the medical supplies to HF sponsored Healthcare Centers serving an estimated 340,000 people, among the country’s most marginalized and destitute communities, including individuals affected by the October 2005 earthquake and those living in urban centers and well below the poverty line.

The rehabilitation equipment will enable Umeed-e-Noor Center of Excellence for Care and Rehabilitation of Children with Special Needs to provide therapy to 300 children with multiple disabilities, many of whom have been abandoned by their families. Umeed-e-Noor is dedicated to bringing positive changes among special children and helping them in their journey to lead an adult life as autonomous as possible.

Cristal Montañéz Baylor, Executive Director Hashoo Foundation USA, stressed that “the humanitarian aid sent to Pakistan as a result of the new partnership between Hashoo Foundation USA and Medical Bridges, Inc. will give hope to many needy people in Pakistan and improve their health and living conditions.” Ms. Montanez-Baylor added, “I am very grateful to Shriners Hospital and Dr. Mathurian of Humble, Texas, for donating the rehabilitation and therapy equipment to Medical Bridges which in turn designated it to Umeed-e-Noor. By providing access to basic services, this investment in health increases human capital and promotes development, which ultimately leads to the alleviation of poverty.”

The closing of the container and farewell ceremony was attended by Mohammad Aqil Nadeem, Consul General of Pakistan in Houston. He expressed his appreciation for the humanitarian work being done by Hashoo Foundation in Pakistan and also thanked Medical Bridges for assistance in sending life-saving medical supplies and rehabilitation equipment to Pakistan. “This valuable assistance would go long way in addressing healthcare challenges in Pakistan,” he said.

The Hashoo Foundation USA and Medical Bridges shipment of humanitarian aid underscores the positive relationship between the US and Pakistan at time when the two countries continue to develop their strategic alliance. The gesture of goodwill fosters the importance of investing in health as a means to promote intercultural awareness, collaboration, and understanding.

The Hashoo Foundation USA and Medical Bridges shipment of humanitarian aid underscores the positive relationship between the US and Pakistan at time when the two countries continue to develop their strategic alliance. The gesture of goodwill fosters the importance of investing in health as a means to promote intercultural awareness, collaboration, and understanding.

Hashoo Foundation USA is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization leading the way in human development and poverty alleviation by implementing viable economic development, educational and capacity building programs. Hashoo Foundation is also focused on the needs of children with disabilities and provides care and support services to unprivileged and vulnerable members of society.
http://hashoofoundation.org/

Medical Bridges recovers medical surplus that would otherwise be discarded and redistributes it to hospitals, clinics, and healthcare providers in less fortunate countries. Our goal is to continue bridging the healthcare gap, connecting those who have with those who hope. In the last 27 months, Medical Bridges shipped 69 containers with an aggregate value of $17 million around the globe.

The most recent shipments went to Cambodia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Peru, Ecuador, Pakistan, Ghana, Guatemala, and Bolivia. The Medical Bridges annual gala, scheduled for October 22, 2009, at the Intercontinental Houston will celebrate healthcare providers serving medically underserved populations in countries like these and will raise money to help secure future shipments of life saving medical supplies and equipment for the neediest members of our global community.
http://www.medicalbridges.org/