February 10, 2025
January 30 is World NTD (neglected tropical diseases) Day, recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO). NTDs refer to a group of 21 infectious diseases that affect more than 1.5 billion people in poor communities in tropical areas, such as Africa and South-East Asia. Due to the lack of public attention and financial support, there has been little progress in research and development of treatments for these diseases, thus making them “neglected”. In particular, women and children living in poor areas are believed to be the most affected by these diseases.
January 30 is designated as a day to raise awareness and encourage action for NTDs. At Eisai, Sustainability Department, a department working toward the elimination of NTDs, took the lead in organizing an awareness campaign for NTDs in collaboration with Eisai’s cafeterias, where many employees gather for lunch. Employees were encouraged to dress in orange and purple 鈥� the symbol colors for NTDs, and enjoyed a lunch menu with orange and purple colored ingredients in the cafeterias at Tokyo Head Office, Tsukuba Research Laboratories, Kashima Plant and Kawashima Industrial Park in Japan, as well as our Vizag Plant in India. The cafeteria staffs also wore orange and purple face masks and attire, livening up the event.
The World NTD Day lunch included yogurt with blueberries and oranges, and a small bowl of pumpkin salad (at Tokyo Head Office), chicken sauté with orange sauce and purple cabbage mixed salad (at Tsukuba Research Laboratories, Kashima Plant and Kawashima Industrial Park). Employees enjoyed lunch discussing about the intentions behind the menu. In addition to the special lunch menu, posters made by children were also showcased at the Vizag Plant in India, which manufactures a treatment for one of the NTDs, lymphatic filariasis.
While some employees were surprised by the different atmosphere at the cafeteria, it was a good opportunity to draw their interest towards NTDs.
We will continue to hold awareness events every year to encourage each employee to think about what they can do for NTDs.
Since joining the world's largest international public-private partnership for the elimination of NTDs in 2012, Eisai has been working towards this goal with various partners. Despite numerous challenges, significant progress has been made through global partnerships across sectors and improved ownership in endemic countries. Eisai will continue to implement company-wide efforts towards the elimination of NTDs.
Please watch outlining the event 馃憠
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