Improvement of Healthcare Infrastructure in Developing Countries

Provision of Health Improvement Program for Mothers and Children

Sumitomo Pharma is implementing a health improvement program for mothers and children as a partnership initiative led by NPO People's Hope Japan in the Kampong Cham District, Cambodia. The Company is engaged in initiatives to promote health checkups for infants and pregnant women, regular education and training on nutrition and hygiene, and home-visit childcare support in collaboration with NPOs, local governments, local health centers, and communities.

In fiscal 2019, this program trained 55 Community Care volunteers for Mothers and Newborns (CCMN) and visited the homes of 350 antenatal women and 298 postnatal women. Through the home visits, CCMN encouraged antenatal, postnatal, and neonatal checkups and also provided education on nutrition and hygiene. In addition, five cooking workshops were held on preparing nutritious weaning food, and a total of 124 local residents attended.

We also donated used bicycles for health center volunteers (two people at each health center) and CCMN (two-to-four people in each village) engaged in activities in areas under the jurisdiction of four health centers. These volunteers conduct activities for the health of villagers, particularly mothers and children, even in severe weather such as intense heat and torrential rain. This donation was highly appreciated by the volunteers since securing a means of transport for their activities in the area, where paved roads and public transportation are inadequate, was a long-cherished dream.

Home visit by CCMN

Cooking workshop using easily available ingredients

Volunteers with donated bicycles