SINGAPORE, July 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Singapore healthcare company, Advanced First Aid Research, an innovator in first aid and burn relief solutions, today reinforced its commitment to supporting the health, wellbeing and preparedness of Singaporeans with the announcement of a sponsorship initiative in partnership with NTUC Health Co-operative's SilverACE Senior Activity Centres and Lions Befrienders, designed to support the Nation's most vulnerable citizens.
Ahead of the anticipated haze, Advanced First Aid Research has announced it will donate one N95 mask for each one sold through Unity Pharmacies nationwide. The donated masks will be supplied to vulnerable elderly, specifically those who are members of the SilverACE Senior Activity Centres (SACs). SACs are a government initiative to support the lower income elderly with weak family support.
Donated masks will similarly be distributed to elderly citizens by the Lions Befrienders support network which reaches over 5,000 seniors through the social and community programmes.
Advanced First Aid Research's innovative N95 mask design features an electrostatic filter that delivers better ventilation, easier breathing and speaking due to its 99 per cent filtration efficiency against micron particles. The mask also offers longer, more lasting protection against the haze and other harmful gases in a way not catered for by standard masks.
Advanced First Aid Research CEO, Allen Loh, says: "While we sincerely hope that the projected haze does not adversely impact the health of Singaporeans, it's important we ensure that those most in need of support are prepared well in advance, and don't miss out during times of high demand. The mask with its high filtration efficiency is ideally suited for those most susceptible to haze conditions.
"This initiative in partnership with SilverACE Senior Activity Centres and Lions Befrienders complements the good work of other government agencies and organisations who are equally committed to protecting our nation's health during the haze season as well as the Nation's first aid preparedness overall."
"As a Singaporean company, we understand the local challenges on the ground and have all experienced the limitations of the current products in the market. We are delighted to extend this partnership with SilverACE Senior Activity Centres and Lions Befrienders in a way that reinforces our overall commitment to improve the health and safety of Singaporeans," Mr Loh added.
During the haze season, the number of patients admitted into hospital for respiratory problems increases by 20 per cent.[1] In general, the elderly, children and people with chronic lung disease and heart disease are more sensitive to the health effects of haze.[2]
Goh Boo Han, Executive Director, Lions Befrienders, says: "We are delighted to be a part of this initiative at a time when N95 masks are in demand due to the anticipated haze. We see this as a positive and proactive measure undertaken by a local company to help the needy and vulnerable elderly."
Leon Luai, Head Clinical Services and Wellness for NTUC Health, who oversees the SilverACE SACs, says: "We work to empower the elderly to take charge of their health and avoid many of the common health problems they face today. For instance, we have self-help health check stations at our six SACs and we regularly conduct health checks for the seniors. We are happy to partner with Advanced First Aid Research to enable seniors from lower-income families to access quality N95 masks and to ensure that they can be protected during the haze."
"We are pleased to be part of this meaningful initiative to do more to care for the health of our community. For every mask purchased, Unity customers can equip themselves and their families and also contribute to support needy elderly in Singapore during the haze," said Bernard Lee, MD and Head, Pharmacy and Health food NTUC Health, who also oversees Unity pharmacies.
Unity pharmacies were among the first to bring in fresh supply of N95 masks during the peak of the haze last year, and they also brought the prices of the masks down to ensure that more working families would be able to obtain the item.
Advanced First Aid Research's N95 masks are available now in Unity Pharmacies across Singapore in packs of 10 and 20 masks. A 10-piece pack retails for $18.80 while a 20-piece pack retails for $37.80. Advanced First Aid Research will donate a N95 mask to SilverACE Senior Activity Centres and Lions Befrienders for each one sold for the duration of the haze period.
1. Fiona Low, Asthma and Allergy cases up as haze worsens: Docs, The Straits Times. Available from https://www.healthxchange.com.sg/News/Pages/Asthma-and-allergy-cases-up-as-haze-worsens.aspx
2. Health Promotion Board, Impact of Haze on Health. Available from http://www.hpb.gov.sg/HOPPortal/health-article/HPB051226
Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20140728/8521404251
| For more information or to request an interview, please contact: |
|
| Dickson Tan |
Gerald Leong |
| Edelman Public Relations |
Edelman Public Relations |
| +65-6347-2352 |
+65-6494-1596 |
