Children want, can and are able to help

4. 12. 2012

The Mountain Rescue Association of Slovenia presented a Children Learning to Help project, which is carried out in collaboration with the Jesenice College of Nursing and the Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief, sponsored by Lek, a Sandoz company. The project is intended for children in the first triad of primary schools and groups of the oldest kindergarten children, who want, can and are able to help.

»The project was rolled out this autumn. In its initial stage we are visiting kindergartens and primary schools in towns where Lek, a Sandoz company, operates and enables the implementation of this project in Slovenia – i.e. in Lendava, Prevalje, Ljubljana and Mengeš. The response of the children and their teachers and carers is immense,« explained Vasja Žemva, the Children Learning to Help project leader, adding that female students from year 3 of the Jesenice College of Nursing are also taking part in carrying out workshops.

»At Lek, a Sandoz company, we develop and produce high-quality medicines which improve patients’ quality of life and sometimes save lives. However, we are also well aware that in life we may find ourselves in a situation when we need to provide urgent and appropriate help to someone in distress. Therefore we immediately recognized the importance of the project Children Learning to Help project and gladly supported it. Early awareness about the importance of offering help to a fellow human being in cases of emergency will undoubtedly develop as the children grow up and will later in their adult life know how to act appropriately,« said Vojmir Urlep President of the Board of Management of Lek, a Sandoz company.

In case of emergency I immediately call for help

As a part of the project Children Learning to Help, which was designed by the German Helicopter Emergency Medical Service, children are taught how to prevent accidents and how to respond in the case of accidents or emergencies should they happen nonetheless.

Sometimes children come home from a playground with scratches or other injuries. The reaction of adults to this varies a lot. Children would like to help, but in most cases in such situations they do not learn from adults how to act properly and in a calm manner. »The aim of the Children Learning to Help project is to improve the situation and to teach children how to respond in cases of emergency. We want first aid to become for them self-evident. Children, who learn at an early age how to act in emergency situations, will also as adults know how to take timely and appropriate action and offer help in those precious minutes until paramedics arrive. The Children Learning to Help project is important as it increases the number of people who will be able to help and therefore save human lives,« explains Vasja Žemva.

The first rule that the kids are taught at workshops is not to run away from the scene of an accident but call for help. They are taught how to call the emergency telephone number 112, what to tell the person on the other end of the line and how to answer questions. Children are also shown how to offer first aid in the case of minor injuries. Instructors show them how to apply bandages on minor wounds on the arm, leg or head. They also learn how to engage an injured person in conversation, encourage him/her, and how to put an unconscious person in an appropriate stable position.

I can Help

After completing the workshop, children receive an educational picture book with the title Children are Learning to Help which they can study at home together with their parents, an »I can Help« card with an with emergency telephone number 112 on it, and an “I can Help” certificate.

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Lek, a Sandoz company, is one of the pillars of leading world generics company Sandoz. Its role within Sandoz is to act as: a global development center for products and technologies; a global manufacturing center for active pharmaceutical ingredients and medicines; a competence center for the development of vertically integrated products; a Sandoz competence center in the field of development and manufacturing of biosimilar products; and, a supply center for the markets of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), South East Europe (SEE) and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and it is responsible for sales on the Slovenian market. For further information please visit http://www.lek.si/eng/.

Sandoz, a Division of the Novartis group, is a global leader in the field of generic pharmaceuticals, offering a wide array of high-quality, affordable products that are no longer protected by valid and enforceable third-party patents. Sandoz has a portfolio of approximately 1000 compounds and sells its products in about 130 countries. Key product groups include cardiovascular medicines, anti-infectives, treatments for central nervous system and alimentary tract disorders, oncology and respiratory therapies, as well as medications for blood and blood forming organ disorders. Sandoz develops, produces and markets these medicines along with pharmaceutical and biotechnological active substances. In addition to strong organic growth in recent years, Sandoz has made a series of acquisitions including Lek (Slovenia), Sabex (Canada), Hexal (Germany), Eon Labs (US), EBEWE Pharma (Austria), and Oriel Therapeutics (US). In 2011, Sandoz employed more than 24,000 people (full-time equivalents) worldwide and achieved net sales of USD 9.5 billion for the full year. For more information, please visit www.sandoz.com.
Sandoz is on Twitter. Sign up to follow @Sandoz_global at http://twitter.com/sandoz.

Novartis provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, eye care, cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals, preventive vaccines and diagnostic tools, over-the-counter and animal health products. Novartis is the only global company with leading positions in these areas. In 2011, the Group’s continuing operations achieved net sales of USD 58.6 billion, while approximately USD 9.6 billion (USD 9.2 billion excluding impairment and amortization charges) was invested in R&D throughout the Group. Novartis Group companies employ approximately 124,000 full-time-equivalent associates and operate in more than 140 countries around the world. For more information, please visit www.novartis.com.
Novartis is on Twitter. Sign up to follow @Novartis at http://twitter.com/novartis.

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This press release contains statements and conclusions based on projections of Lek’s future business operations. These estimates are derived from the best information currently available. In case these forecasts prove unreliable, the actual results could prove different from those projected.

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For additional information contact:
Katarina Klemenc
Corporate Communications
Lek Pharmaceuticals d. d.
Phone: +386 1 580 22 43
Fax: +386 1 580 24 32
komuniciranje.lek@sandoz.com