Press News

Budapest, May 6, 2003

Today Tamás Lőrinc, Head of Matáv's Pécs Representation Office presented to the Kaposvár Ambulance Foundation two semi-automatic defibrillators worth a total of HUF 1,500,000. Matáv contributed HUF 1,000,000 to the purchase of the life-saving instruments. As a responsible corporate citizen, Matáv considers it highly important to contribute with its donations to the support of health and social organizations needing help thereby showing its sensitivity to the problems of society and the community.

The Kaposvár Ambulance Foundation requested support from Matáv's Donation Board for the purchase of two Dinamap Lifepak 500 semi-automatic defibrillators which was then approved by the Board in view of the objective (cure, treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases).

One of today's most frequent diseases is coronary sclerosis (arrhythmia, cardiac infarction leading to premature cardiac death). The two semi-automatic defibrillators are essential for the treatment and resuscitation of these patients on the spot. The advantage of these instruments is that they can be used not only by ambulance doctors, but also by specially trained ambulance nurses. Most ambulance cars are manned by ambulance nurses. With these instruments there is a much higher chance of saving the life of a patient who has had a heart attack.

Matáv's key donation areas:

• cure, treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases
• health promotion and disease prevention programs, with focus on tumorous diseases
• cure of communication problems (people with impaired speech or hearing)
• sports activities of the disadvantaged
• cultural initiatives of disadvantaged towns
• health problems of children
• crisis line services

The treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases is always given priority when donations are made. This year among others the following organizations dealing with these problems have received donations:

• Heart Gives to Heart Foundation – Szent János Hospital
• Foundation for the Health Services of Tatabánya – Szent Borbála Hospital
• Zala Open Heart Association
• Readiness Foundation – Siófok Hospital
• Kaposvár Ambulance Foundation