Astellas extends Kenyan care initiative

Astellas Pharma Europe announced its backing of a new €1.5m programme to tackle obstetric fistula in May. Ken Jones, ceo and president, gives Ethical Performance an update

The European arm of Japanese pharma giant Astellas is backing a new health programme in Kenya which aims to transform the lives of more than 1,200 women living with obstetric fistula.

An obstetric fistula is a hole between the vagina and rectum or bladder that is caused by prolonged obstructed labour when emergency care is unavailable, causing either fecal or urinary incontinence or both conditions.

Whilst virtually eradicated in developed countries, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) estimates 3,000 new cases of obstetric fistula occur annually in Kenya, with approximately one to two fistulas for every 1,000 deliveries.
Obstetric fistula sufferers are too often subject to severe social stigma due to odour which is constant and humiliating, often driving the patients’ family and friends away.

Ken Jones, ceo and president of Astellas Pharma Europe, says that since the launch in May it has been working with the Fistula Foundation to validate the capacity of the programme and create the network. “We’re now hoping to double the capacity from training four surgeons to eight,” he said.

“Our involvement goes far beyond simply corporate giving and a grant. That would not leave a legacy. What we’re looking to do is create a sustainable model by training doctors who will stay in Kenya. Once we’ve established this model, hopefully it will expand.”

Jones explains that it is the first time the company has backed a training programme, rather than simply giving a donation. “As a business we were interested in getting involved in this programme because of our background in urology. We deal a lot with the condition of ‘overactive bladder’ so while there is no commercial interest in this area, we are familiar with many of the issues. It also has the opportunity to make a sustainable impact. We have the opportunity to make a huge difference, give back to the community and make a difference.”

In the longer term, Jones explains that the programme is in discussion with the Kenyan government because “ideally it should ultimately be taken over by the government”, he says.

“What we’re hoping to do is make this model work, increase the capacity, lower the risk and tackle the stigma.”