Irish Minister hails trade relations to curb the endemic burden of healthcare acquired infections in Southern Africa

Pretoria, 14 November 2019: In a major step toward revolutionising healthcare in Southern Africa, Novaerus (an Irish company) launched its partnership and collaboration with Right to Pharma, South Africa at Black Bamboo, Menlyn Boutique Hotel, Pretoria on 12 November. The event forms part of Enterprise Ireland’s Trade Mission to South Africa and was attended by the Ambassador of Ireland to South Africa, H.E. Ms Fionnuala Gilsenan and Minister Heather Humphreys T.D., Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation. Enterprise Ireland is the Irish Trade Agency and as a cutting edge Enterprise Ireland client Minister Heather Humphreys was present to show Irish government support for the relationship and to oversee the signing between Novaerus and Right to Pharma.

The partnership is widely welcomed at a time when airborne infections (AIs) have soared at an alarming rate globally and is a safety concern for both patients and healthcare professionals. Although statistics aimed towards estimating the burden of morbidity and mortality associated with AI are hard to come by for the Southern African target market, hospital-acquired infections are at an unacceptable level.

AIs can be acquired by patients and hospital staff during the care process in a health-care facility that was not evident at the time of admission and can be transmitted in settings such as operating theatres, intensive care units, emergency rooms, mobile units, ambulances and patient wards where patients receive health care and may visit even after discharge.  Certain types of AIs can result in antibiotic-resistant infections which leading to prolonged hospital stays, unnecessary costs and even death.

Established in 2012, Novaerus’s clean air technology is based on a patented plasma technology that has been independently tested and proven to kill harmful airborne pathogens such as tubercle bacillus (TB), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), norovirus, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), influenza, amongst others. The patented medical-grade technology comprises of portable air dis-infection units that are used in hospitals and healthcare facilities around the world, reducing the spread of infection and providing clean and safe environments for patients and staff.

Novaerus is part of WellAir, an Irish company on a mission to reduce indoor airborne pollutants to create living, working, and healing spaces that foster rather than detract from human health, productivity, and wellbeing. WellAir and its brands, Novaerus and Plasma Air, are installed in hundreds of hospitals, senior living facilities, schools, casinos, railway stations, residences, and industrial facilities in more than 40 countries around the world.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Right to Pharma”, said Úna Ní Raghallaigh, Director of Business Development at Novaerus. “Clean air is a fundamental component in preventing, treating and managing diseases, something we know Right to Pharma is passionate about. We are proud to celebrate this trade relationship with South Africa.”

The contract signing solidifies Right to Pharma’s commitment to reducing airborne pathogens, surface bacteria and infections in the challenging African healthcare environment. We are excited to bring the Novaerus plasma technology to the continent to ensure better healthcare outcomes to all,” said Mr Fanie Hendriksz, Founder and Managing Director of Right to Pharma – a South African pharmaceutical and medical device company.

He added that their strategic focus is the source, registration and market alignment of superior quality products to improve the quality of people’s lives on the continent. Together with their partners and providers they follow a strategic consensus-building process to improve healthcare in Southern African territories. Right to Pharma believes strategic collaborations, transparency and disruptive products is the cornerstone of growth in Africa.

Novaerus

Novaerus is an Enterprise Ireland client (Irish Trade Agency), and part of WellAir, an Irish company on a mission to reduce indoor airborne pollutants to create living, working, and healing spaces that foster rather than detract from human health, productivity, and wellbeing.

WellAir and its brands, Novaerus and Plasma Air, are installed in hundreds of hospitals, senior living facilities, schools, casinos, railway stations, residences, and industrial facilities in more than 40 countries around the world.

Right to Pharma

Right to Pharma, providers of innovative, novel and disruptive products that positively impact healthcare outcomes are proud to make a substantial difference to the people of Southern Africa.

Novaerus