home

Making a difference in memory of Karen

 

August 2011

Medical mission supports Bupa doctor’s campaign

Bupa Home Healthcare is ensuring that a colleague’s commitment to delivering healthcare to people in one of the world’s most dangerous and deprived countries lives on following her death.

Dr Karen Woo was killed in an ambush during a mission to deliver medical and humanitarian aid to the people of Afghanistan in August 2010. A former Associate Director with Bupa, Karen played key roles in Bupa International’s hospital evaluation programme and the implementation of the World Health Organization’s safer surgery checklist at the Bupa Cromwell Hospital.

Towards the end of her time with Bupa, Karen established the aid agency Bridge Afghanistan, stockpiling medical supplies and equipment donated by UK healthcare organisations, including Bupa Home Healthcare and Bupa Cromwell Hospital.

Now, Bupa Home Healthcare has teamed up with the Karen Woo Foundation, and UK charity Afghan Aid to distribute surplus medical supplies to hospitals across the city of Kabul. The 14 tonne shipment includes syringes, plasters, sterile gloves and cloths.

“Bupa has a long history of supporting charitable causes around the world and, given our relationship with Karen and her passion for Afghanistan and the health needs of its people, we feel this is a very worthwhile initiative,” says Bupa Home Healthcare Medical Director Mehmood Syed.

In August, the supplies were shipped from Felixstowe to the United Arab Emirates, where the cargo was offloaded and sent by air to Bargam airbase in Afghanistan. There, Karen’s fiancé Paddy Smith and Samad Samadi, a volunteer aid worker with UK charity Afghan Action, arranged for the equipment to be distributed to four hospitals: Wazir Akbar Khan Hospital; Ibne Sina Hospital; Indira Gandhi Children's Hospital; Noor Eye Hospital.

“It’s rewarding to see Karen’s wish coming to fruition,” says her mother Lynn. “I just wish she was here to see it.”

Next steps

Contact us

  • Telephone

    Call Bupa Home Healthcare

    01279 456 789