Lek donates computers to Center for education and rehabilitation of physically handicapped children and adolescent in Kamnik

Lek has exchanged its entire information system this year in order to modernize it and harmonize it with the information system of the Novartis Business Group. By the end of 2004 Lek will have replaced over 1000 personal computers (desktops and notebooks). All of these computers are still in good condition and it would be unreasonable to write them off. Therefore Lek decided to donate them to interested parties, thereby assisting needy kindergartens, elementary and secondary schools, faculties, humanitarian organizations (maternity wards, safe houses, security and training institutions) and health-care institutions whose activities contribute to improving the quality of life.

As in previous years, Lek decided to perform its charity campaign throughout Slovenia. This week more than 70 computers were donated throughout the vicinity of Mengeš, Domžale and Kamnik. The recipients included, in addition to the Training Institute for Physically Challenged Youth in Kamnik, the Prešerje Elementary School in Radomlje, Mengeš Elementary School, Šinkov Turn Volunteer Fire Department, Topole Volunteer Fire Department, Jurij Vega Elementary School, Rudolf Maister School Center, Roje Elementary School, Domžale Secondary School and the Domžale Scouting Association.

The Center for education and rehabilitation of physically handicapped children and adolescent in Kamnik is a state institution which specializes in the education and training of physically challenged and chronically ill children and youths. According to Director of the Institute Zdravka Slavec, there are currently 173 children and youths at the Institute between the ages of 6 and 23 years.

The Institute, which has been in operation of 57 years, carries out the following programs: adjusted elementary school educational program with equivalent educational standard, adjusted program with lower educational standard, adjusted secondary school programs at the level of lower vocational, medium vocational, vocational technical and professional technical education and a special educational/general qualification program. In addition to education, the Institute places a major emphasis on health-care, behavioral, psychosocial and therapeutic programs. All programs of course incorporate computer skills and access to the internet.

‘Therefore it is all the more important that educational institutions guarantee children and youths conditions for acquiring computer skills, since computers are an aid to learning and allow them to communicate with the outside world.’ added Zdravka Slavec. The majority of the donated computers will be installed in the day rooms at the Institute, and some will be installed in the classrooms.

The Institute is no newcomer to working together with Lek. In 2001 Lek donated funds for a covered horse corral and a show by Thumbelina. Today they were treated to computers and a clown show. Lek’s greatest acknowledgement is the satisfaction of the children and young people for whom quality education and training has been made possible through its charity campaign.

As a pharmaceutical company which is concerned with long-term education and maintaining the quality of health and life, Lek actively participates in humanitarian and health-care fields and contributes to the areas of culture, education, scientific research and sports. Lek’s wide-ranging engagement in its social environment has a common denominator, which is a high level of responsibility for children and youths, for whom Lek seeks to improve their today and tomorrow. As Igor Boševski added: ‘Doing good is good for me personally as well as Lek and its employees. Every time you give, you get back more in return. The happiness, laughter and joy which is reflected on the children’s faces are the best reward for us parents and for the future of the company.’

This campaign is another step which Lek has courageously and decisively taken towards implementing their role as a corporate citizen as a part of their mission to improve health care and the quality of life in the broadest sense of the word. Lek’s role also corresponds with Novartis’ corporate citizenship, which is one of the pillars of the operation of that successful global pharmaceutical company.

Lek, a new Sandoz company, is an international pharmaceutical company which operates as a business center on the markets of Central and Eastern Europe, Southeastern Europe and the CIS region, and also markets its products successfully on the US market, in the EU and elsewhere around the world. Lek creates value through the development, manufacturing and sales of pharmaceutical products, active pharmaceutical ingredients and biopharmaceutical products. The Lek Group employs about 3850 people in various regions and achieved total sales of USD 694 million in 2003. For further information please consult http://www.lek.si.

Sandoz, a Novartis company, is a world leader in generic pharmaceuticals and develops, manufactures and markets these medicines as well as pharmaceutical and biotechnological active ingredients. Decades of experience and profound know-how make Sandoz a renowned partner in the Pharmaceuticals, Biopharmaceuticals and Industrial Products Franchises. Altogether, Sandoz employs approximately 13,000 people worldwide and posted sales of USD 2.9 billion in 2003.

Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS) is a world leader in pharmaceuticals and consumer health. In 2003, the Group’s business achieved sales of USD 24.9 billion and a net income of USD 5.0 billion. The Group invested approximately USD 3.8 billion in R&D. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Group companies employ about 78 500 people and operate in over 140 countries around the world. For further information, please consult http://www.novartis.com