In 2015, Daiichi Sankyo embarked on a project aimed at improving access to medical services in six townships in Guangnan County in the Yunnan province of China. This area has a particularly high number of children suffering from developmental disorders, and we worked to contribute to better health for these children as well as their mothers through this project. Evaluation criteria were set for each activity, and progress was monitored continuously.
In this project, approximately 260 healthcare professionals, such as village doctors and midwives, have taken part in IMCI training and newborn care training sessions through which they have learned about how to respond to pediatric diseases and provide care to infants. Furthermore, we have established community centers in all six townships through which programs for educating parents are provided. Over the past five years, approximately 18,800 local residents have taken part in these programs. In addition, in fiscal 2018, health education commenced in the community and approximately 10,600 residents have taken part in the program, leading to improved health awareness.
Thanks to the efforts of village doctors and midwives who took part in the training, as well as improved awareness among residents, there has been a downward trend in severe cases of childhood illnesses. These efforts have produced positive effects with a significant improvement in the under-5 mortality rate in Guangnan County, which has fallen from 18.94 in 2014 to 9.95 in 2018.
This is indicative of the fact that initiatives to operate local health services by the residents themselves, anticipated in the future, are making good progress.
These activities are also reported as part of the Access Accelerated*2 initiative.
Summary of Activities Over the Past 5 Years
| Initiatives for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) |
Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
3.1 Reduce the global maternal mortality rate to less than 70 per 100,000 live births
3.2 End preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age |
| Activity Summary |
Use mobile clinic vehicles and deliver medical services to regions with undeveloped healthcare infrastructure.
1. Improve the capacity of healthcare workers to respond to child illnesses (IMCI training, etc.)
2. Strengthen the abilities of community health workers and volunteers
3. Raise awareness in communities |
| Period |
FY2015-2019 (5 years) |
| Partner |
Plan International Japan |
| Achievements |
1. Number of participants in IMCI training: 257
2. Number of participants in IMCI refresher training: 201
3. Number of participants in essential newborn care training: 214
4. Number of participants in community center activities: 18,830
5. Number of participants in community health education: 10,634 |
| Indicators and Results |
1. Mortality rate, under-5 (per 1,000 live births): baseline 18.9 → 9.95* (target 15)
2. Percentage of caregivers who have proper knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding (among all interviewed caregivers who have children under five): baseline 3.5% → 11.6% (target 30%)
3. Percentage of caregivers who have proper knowledge of food to prevent anemia (among all interviewed caregivers who have children under five): baseline 10% → 11.4% (target 50%)
* As of 2018 |
Below is the report of activities over 5 years between 2015 and 2019.
| The Fifth report (March 18, 2019) |
Visit to Site of Mother and Child Healthcare Improvement Project in Yunnan, China |
| The Fourth report (January 30, 2018) |
Visit to Site of Mother and Child Healthcare Improvement Project in Yunnan, China |
| The Third report (February 2, 2017) |
Visit to Site of Mother and Child Healthcare Improvement Project in Yunnan, China |
| The Second report (November 4, 2015) |
Opening Ceremony of Community Center in Yunnan, China |
| The First report (July 27, 2015) |
Kickoff Ceremony in Yunnan, China |