Helping local communities in Mexico

March 20, 2006 - Following Novartis’ commitment to social responsibility, Novartis Mexico launched its corporate citizenship program Under Novartis’ Shelter (Bajo el cobijo de Novartis). The program calls on the active participation of Novartis employees, together with physicians, government, NGOS and other stakeholders to support activities that provide sustainable benefits to society.

In 2005, Under Novartis’ Shelter carried out several projects helping more than 6,000 people. The activities required approximately 2,000 working hours of Novartis employees and involved the participation of almost 500 physicians to voluntarily help people in need.

Warming up for the winter
One example was an activity in the small village of San Felipe del Progreso. A Novartis team of 40 employees, members of their families, and 16 medical volunteers helped to distribute much needed supplies and to give free consultations and medical evaluations. San Felipe del Progresso is a very poor community and is known for extreme cold in the winter. Every year, many inhabitants die from the cold. Novartis donated 3,000 blankets and other boxes of goods, enough to supply 1,500 families with warmth for the harsh winter that lay ahead. The company also brought almost 8,000 products that would be kept and distributed for free at the local clinic’s pharmacy. Some of the products were anti-inflammatory medications, antibiotics, cold medications, anti-hypertensive medications, antihistamines, and muscle relaxants.

Novartis Mexico’s Under Novartis’ Shelter has been awarded with the international Banner of Peace (Bandera Pax). The Banner of Peace is a universal symbol that represents the unity of diversity, and hopes to attain a better world, whilst respecting all beliefs. The Banner of Peace was officially accepted by all western countries on April 15th, 1935, when the Roerich Peace Pact was signed at the white house in Washington.