Sanofi-aventis donated medical equipment to Zundao Community Hospital, which marks the first permanent hospital rebuilt after the tragic earthquake on May 12, 2008. The donation is a continuation of the actions that sanofi-aventis has taken to assist with post-earthquake rebuilding efforts. Mianzhu was one of the hardest hit areas in the May 12 earthquake. In Zundao County alone, the casualty reached 4,000 out of a population of 25,000. Almost 99 per cent of the buildings were devastated, including the local hospital. The new Zundao Community Hospital will provide medical care and health care education for more than 24,000 people living in an around the county.

Christopher A Viehbacher, chief executive officer of sanofi-aventis, visited the hospital and reaffirmed the company's commitment to fulfilling its social responsibility. "I am deeply impressed by the resilience of the people of Sichuan who have rebuilt their homes and communities after the tragic earthquake. Philanthropy is a big part of sanofi-aventis' culture around the world. I am proud that we have contributed to the opening of Zundao Community Hospital," said Viehbacher. Sanofi-aventis was among the first companies to act after the May 12 earthquake, with a 15M RMB (1.7M Euro) donation to the Ministry of Health and donation of medicines to Sichuan Bureau of Health to support survivor rescue operations, disease-prevention, and vaccination in disaster areas.

In June 2008, sanofi-aventis China matched employee contributions, and established the 'Intervention of Care Project' with Huaxi Hospital, No 3 People's Hospital of Chengdu, and Handicap International, an international non-governmental organization specialized in the field of disability. The money raised has been used for the treatment and long-term rehabilitation of earthquake victims.

To date, the 'Intervention of Care' programme has trained more than 1,000 healthcare professionals on subjects including spinal injury care, complicated fracture care, bed-ridden patients care, and neurological rehabilitation of brain injury patients. As a result of the 'Intervention of Care' programme, more than 2,500 disabled patients received long-term rehabilitation at Huaxi Hospital and No. 3 People's Hospital of Chengdu. Many more patients in the surrounding areas including Mianzhu City also benefited from the programme.

Experts from Handicap International also followed the disabled patients after they have left the hospital and returned to their hometowns including Zundao and Hanwang. Thomas Kelly, general manager of sanofi-aventis China, pointed out that the medical equipment donated to Zundao Community Hospital was partially funded by the personal contributions of more than 3,300 sanofi-aventis employees in China. "Our employees' participation is what's unique about our involvement in the Sichuan earthquake relief efforts. As the first multinational healthcare company to establish offices in China, sanofi-aventis will stay true to its values and continue to be a responsible member of the community," said Kelly.