In fiscal year 2019, Daiichi Sankyo launched mobile clinic services in Myanmar in cooperation with Plan International Japan. This project is conducted with the support of local non-governmental organizations (NGOs), local government agencies, and district health administration. No conflict of interest with our business transactions has been identified, and we will continue to monitor the activities through continuing site visits and regular reporting.

Myanmar Project implementation structure

Child and maternal mortality rates in Myanmar are high, with an under-five mortality rate of 51 per 1000 live births (2016) versus 3 per 1000 live births in Japan. Moreover, the healthcare disparities between rural and urban areas are pronounced, and the under-five mortality rate in rural areas has been reported to be approximately twice as high as that in urban areas.

In Nyaung-U District in the Mandalay Region, where the project is operating, most health institutions and health workers concentrate in urban areas, and very limited health services are provided by village-level health centers. In addition, the lack of information and awareness among community residents regarding diseases, treatment, and health services, and their inability to visit distant hospitals for financial reasons, makes it difficult for individuals to access healthcare services. Against such a background, we have initiated the following activities in this district with the aim of providing health and medical services and enlightening the residents on diseases and medical care: (i) mobile healthcare services with vehicles, (ii) capacity building for healthcare workers and community health volunteers, and (iii) capacity building and awareness-raising activities for the local residents. Through these activities, we work on improving access to healthcare.

In the wake of COVID-19, activities were limited due to restrictions on entry by non-villagers in fiscal year 2020, but we were able to conduct activities such as public awareness efforts for residents through local volunteer staff and mobile clinic services in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. Activities were also temporarily halted and mobile clinic services had to be abandoned in the aftermath of the coup d’état in 2021, and we are doing everything we can, such as opening a makeshift clinic, while placing priority on ensuring safety.

This project began in April 2019 with a scheduled duration of 3 years and includes key performance indicators (KPIs) such as reduced neonatal and under-five mortality rates, improved maternal health screening rate, and reduced incidence of malnutrition/anemia. A kick-off ceremony was held in October 2019.

Click here to see photos of the ceremony

Project Summarry and KPIs

We will continue to monitor the activities on an ongoing basis to check the progress of the project. These activities are also part of our Access Accelerated initiative.