Daiichi Sankyo has launched a project to enhance healthcare services for breast and cervical cancer, and raise awareness on SRHR^*1 in Zimbabwe, in collaboration with the international NGO Plan International.

Cervical cancer and breast cancer are the first and second most common cancers respectively and a major cause of cancer-related deaths among women in Zimbabwe. However, knowledge level about cancer and its symptoms among the public is low, and screening systems for early detection of cancer are underdeveloped. Furthermore, due in part to the fact that Zimbabwean society places little importance on women’s sexual and reproductive rights, the country faces a variety of problems related to women’s rights such as the increase in early pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases like HIV, and a lack of understanding of women who undergo screening and healthcare services.

The aim of this project is to improve knowledge about breast and cervical cancer and SRHR, and create an environment that makes it easy for women to receive healthcare services. The project’s main activities consist of (1) strengthening healthcare service infrastructure and implementing advocacy activities related to cervical and breast cancer and (2) raising awareness among communities, and AYA^*2 men and women in particular, on SRHR, gender equality, cervical and breast cancer.

Through the activities of this project, we will contribute to achieving Goal 3: “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages” and Goal 5: “Gender equality” of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
^*1 SRHR: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
^*2 AYA: Adolescent and Young Adult (15 to 39 years of age)

<Overview of Project>
1. Region: Masvingo Province in southeastern Zimbabwe
2. Contents: Activities to raise awareness and enhance the infrastructure of healthcare services related to breast cancer, cervical cancer, and SRHR
3. Duration: 3 years (April 2021 to March 2024)
4. Collaborative partner: Plan International
*Active in more than 70 countries across the world, Plan International is an international NGO that advances children’s rights and is committed to realizing a world that is free of poverty and discrimination.
https://www.plan-international.org/

As a pharmaceutical company with a purpose “to contribute to the enrichment of quality of life around the world,” the Daiichi Sankyo Group will work to address access to healthcare in regions with fragile healthcare infrastructures.


Other sustainability initiatives
https://www.daiichisankyo.com/sustainability/