Siemens helps Beirut with medical aid & power

Siemens is helping the people of Lebanon rebuild in the wake of the tragic catastrophe of Aug. 4. The company is quickly providing the stricken population with ultrasound systems and a mobile X-ray unit. In addition, Siemens Energy is offering to deliver and operate two gas turbines with a total electrical capacity of about 80 megawatts (MW) free of charge.

In the presence of German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas in Beirut, Joe Kaeser, president and CEO of Siemens AG, said: “We want to provide rapid, focused support to help relieve people’s suffering quickly and with no red tape. Medical systems and electric power are vital here, and Siemens can supply both. As a global company, we feel a clear obligation to support the country and its people in this difficult situation.”

Siemens Healthineers is donating ultrasound systems (Acuson NX2 and Juniper model) and a mobile X-ray device (Mobilett Mira). These units are being sent to Beirut for use in local hospitals.

“Our hearts and minds are with the people of Beirut in this particularly difficult situation,” said Bernd Montag, CEO of Siemens Healthineers. “The purpose of our company is to use our innovations in order to help people lead longer and healthier lives. That’s why we’re working quickly to relieve the worst distress at local hospitals.”

To enable the capital to deal with the disaster’s devastating effects, Siemens Energy is offering to provide two mobile SGT-A45 gas turbines that can help secure emergency electric power for the city. These mobile units can be rapidly transported to Beirut and put into operation. Discussions on the logistics process are already in progress. Access to electric power is especially crucial after a catastrophe. Given the damage to the local infrastructure, vital services like hospitals urgently need reliable electric power, and this fast solution could provide significant support for the city and its population. The total capacity of around 80 MW could provide electricity for about 150,000 people (10 percent of Beirut’s population). The delivery and startup by Siemens would take place in the next six to 12 weeks. The two units are to be provided for 1 year free of charge. The use of these units will be worth about $40 million a year.

“The tragedy that struck Beirut early in August has saddened us all. We’ve been fortunate that our colleagues in the city are uninjured and we had damage only to our offices. But many companies and families were not so lucky. We’re in a position to provide fast and uncomplicated assistance to the people of Beirut, and so we feel a responsibility in this situation to help wherever we can. We’re ready to secure a reliable, affordable supply of electricity for the people of Lebanon and help them rebuild their country,” said Siemens Energy CEO Christian Bruch.