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Sanofi Restates Commitment to CSR in Africa(AllAfrica Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) One of the acclaimed leaders in the international health care market, Sanofi, has restated its resolve to sustain the tempo of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in Nigeria, as a way to further show its commitment to the wellness of the country's citizens. The disclosure was contained in a statement issued in Lagos through the company's presentation titled "CSR From Global Strategy to Nigerian Projects," at the 2014 edition of the CSR West Africa Summit held in Lagos recently. Head of public affairs, Sanofi, North-east Africa, Dimeji Agbolade, while presenting the company's approach at the summit, said its several initiatives, including the health of children, through its Healthy Children, Happy Children initiative, prevention of malaria, maternal and infant mortality, tuberculosis, epilepsy, mental disorders and the fight against non-communicable diseases, diabetes and hypertension remain the big issues that occupy the interest of the company as a business. "Our involvement in CSR is multi-faceted and spread across disease prevention, training of health care workers as well as easing access to quality healthcare and reducing health inequalities around the world. We are also a major player in the campaign against counterfeiting in the pharmaceutical industry. "A further demonstration of our commitment is evident in our partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO) in the fight against neglected tropical diseases. We are also a genuine partner in the fight against and elimination of sleeping sickness by 2020," he said. While noting the rising incidence of cancer, particularly childhood cancers in developing countries, he stated that Sanofi is involved in 19 projects aimed at controlling cancer among children in 16 African countries. Agbolade added that, "Sanofi Pasteur is the world's vaccine leader and has the most extensive range of vaccines, which help prevent 20 infectious diseases, including rabies, seasonal flu and meningitis "Since 2002, we have trained over 1,200 health care professionals in vaccinology and prevention through programmes deployed in 11 African countries. "We are also committed to eradicating maternal and infant mortality through our Stand Up For African Mothers initiative. Sanofi Espoir Foundation, in partnership with the African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF), contributes to the Stand Up For African Mothers platform in 2010. Today, 5,000 midwives have been trained in a bid to eradicate mother and infant mortality in Africa," he concluded. For the eighth consecutive year, Sanofi has been included in the World Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI World), the most recognised international sustainability index. Sanofi is among the eight pharmaceutical companies out of 57 selected for the DJSI World. The CSR West Africa Summit is a leading platform where both local and international CSR and sustainability leaders gather annually to discuss and learn how to adopt long-term sustainability frameworks, leverage stakeholder engagement and design impactful CSR initiatives. Copyright Daily Independent. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). |