Bayer's vitamins for the needy

JAKARTA (JP): Around 14,000 people from 153 social institutions, orphanages and nursing homes in the Greater Jakarta area received donations of medicine from PT Bayer Indonesia on Wednesday.

The donations, which included one million sachets of Tonikum Bayer vitamins and Upixon anti-worm tablets, were intended to help those who received them to avoid malnutrition and disease.

The aid, worth Rp 439 million, was handed over to Governor Sutiyoso by Bayer Indonesia president director Wolfgang Piroth in a ceremony here on Wednesday.

In his speech, Sutiyoso acknowledged the firm's goodwill, said it was highly appreciated and added that he hoped other pharmaceutical companies would follow suit to help the needy in this time of hardship.

"The economic crisis has prevented the poor from meeting their basic needs regarding food and health," he said.

According to the governor, the city administration's campaign to raise funds for the poor people will last until Oct. 7.

"I have called on the business community to make donations," he added. (ivy)