Agyeman-Manu exchanging the signed agreement with Stephane Gokou, Sanofi Foundation General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa
Sanofi has signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Health, to increase access to care for people living with diabetes through a series of activities and innovations.
Under the MoU, healthcare authorities would be able to purchase affordable high-quality Sanofi analogue insulin products for use by diabetic patients.
The proposed partnership also provides for the deployment of diabetes management solutions in four diabetes centres where 500 healthcare professionals would benefit from a targeted medical training programme.
In addition, Sanofi will co-develop a digital solution to help physicians, nurses, pharmacists and community healthcare workers to better support more than 5,000 people living with diabetes in Ghana.
Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu speaking at the signing ceremony in Accra said, “The increasing prevalence of diabetes in Ghana places a heavy burden on those impacted and on our healthcare system. Blindness, amputation and cardiac emergencies are among the severe complications that people living with diabetes are at heightened risk from.”
He said the objectives of the government are to improve awareness and promote early diagnosis.
“This will be achieved through better and more widely available training for healthcare professionals. We will also introduce digital solutions that improve diabetes management,” he said.
Mr. Agyeman-Manu further noted that the government has demonstrated a strong commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals that underpin the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and broader, more affordable access to diabetes care, adding that the partnership would help in this endeavour.
“We are particularly pleased that Sanofi will join us in these efforts,” he stressed.
Executive Vice President, General Medicines, Sanofi, Olivier Charmeil also indicated, “Our ambition to deliver better care and improve the quality-of-life of those living with diabetes knows no borders.”
He said the company see the partnership as a shared responsibility with healthcare systems, and “we are committed to fully playing our part.”
“In this context, we are proud to work closely with the Ministry of Health in Ghana and look forward to taking the learnings from this alliance forward in other countries. More broadly, we continue to examine various healthcare access models to determine which approaches best meet specific local needs and opportunities,” he added.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri