AstraZeneca is making a significant impact in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) by addressing critical health challenges such as non-communicable diseases, cancer care, and rare diseases. With a strong focus on sustainability and gender equity, their efforts are designed to meet the region’s unique needs. In this conversation with MedEdge MEA, Pelin Incesu, Area Vice President for MEA at AstraZeneca, shares the company’s achievements and how they are working to improve patient outcomes and build meaningful partnerships in healthcare.
MedEdge MEA: Could you share your insights on how AstraZeneca’s initiatives have been making a difference in patient outcomes in this region?
Pelin Incesu: At AstraZeneca, everything we do is to improve patient outcomes. This involves addressing care gaps by supporting every stage of the patient’s journey, from diagnosis to treatment, and ensuring equitable access to healthcare. Our strategies focus on:
Prevention and Early Detection: We are shifting from a reactive approach to preventive healthcare. Our partnerships with Ministries of health in the Middle East and programs like Cancer Care Africa and Healthy Heart Africa emphasize early screening and management of diseases, which are more effective and cost-efficient when addressed early.
Accessibility: We are committed to making high-quality healthcare available to all. Our efforts also focus on managing rare diseases, ensuring that no patient is overlooked, while the Young Health Programme targets future generations.
ME: What are your views on the silent threat of non-communicable diseases? And how is AstraZeneca working to overcome them?
PI: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, cancer, chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease are rising rapidly in the MEA region. These diseases account for 74% of all deaths in the MENA region, highlighting an urgent need for a comprehensive response.
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In 2014, we launched the Healthy Heart Africa program, which has screened over 50 million people and identified more than 10 million with elevated blood pressure. Expanding this initiative, we now address a broader range of NCDs, including chronic kidney disease, through partnerships with governments and communities to alleviate the healthcare burden.
ME: Given the significant disproportionate burden of cancer mortality in our region, what strategies are you implementing to improve cancer outcomes?
PI: Low- and middle-income countries face a disproportionate share of global cancer deaths, with our region being particularly affected. AstraZeneca is dedicated to reducing cancer mortality through a multi-faceted approach:
Comprehensive Care: Our Cancer Care Africa program strengthens local healthcare systems by supporting over 100 oncology centres, training over 10,000 healthcare professionals, screening over 10 million people, and providing diagnostics for 500,000 patients by 2030. We focus on raising disease awareness, enhancing patient education, and supporting informed decision-making.
ME: Could you highlight AstraZeneca’s success in transforming the lives of people affected by rare diseases?
PI: Our mission includes improving care for patients with rare diseases, who often face significant challenges in accessing proper treatment.
At the Rare Visions Shared Futures Conference in Saudi Arabia, we celebrated the Rare Disease Centre of Excellence launch by the Ministry of Health. This centre will advance diagnosis and treatment for rare disease patients in KSA. We also collaborated with Abu Dhabi’s Department of Health to set up another Rare Diseases Centre of Excellence, enhancing care and support for these patients.
ME: Sustainable healthcare is becoming increasingly important globally. How is AstraZeneca contributing to the development of sustainable and climate-resilient healthcare systems in the MEA region?
PI: We recognise the importance of sustainable and climate-resilient healthcare systems, especially in our MEA region where these topics are still emerging. We are pledged to work with governments and other stakeholders to develop low-carbon and climate resilient health, through various initiatives. These include:
- Awareness: We leverage participation in global and regional forums such as COP27/28 and MENA Climate Week 2023 to convene stakeholders to increase awareness about health and climate interconnection and emphasize how partnerships with governments are crucial to developing low-carbon healthcare systems aligned with ATACH goals.
- Decarbonization: We focus on reducing carbon emissions in key diseases by improving early screening and diagnosis, particularly for interventions that are associated with high carbon emissions like dialysis.
- Green Projects: Our green initiatives include the AZ Forest, green hospitals in Egypt and Jordan, solar mobile healthcare centres in Turkey, hybrid fleets in Morocco, and water stewardship programs. These efforts aim to harmonise environmental sustainability with healthcare goals.
ME: As a leader in the healthcare industry, what advice would you give to young women aspiring to leadership roles? How can they overcome the unique challenges faced by women in this field?
PI: From my experience, meaningful change in healthcare requires dedication and advocacy. My advice to young women is to be assertive in pursuing leadership roles and advocating for gender equity. Women can drive substantial improvements in healthcare policies and practices.
‘‘We are pledged to work with governments and other stakeholders to develop low-carbon and climate resilient health, through various initiatives.’’
Pelin Incesu, Area Vice President for MEA at AstraZeneca
As discussed at last year’s “Women in Leadership Summit” in Saudi Arabia, achieving gender equity in healthcare remains a challenge but is increasingly within reach, especially if we work together. We are committed to gender parity within our organization by 2025 and are addressing cultural and societal barriers in the health sector through upcoming research focused on supporting women’s advancement in healthcare.
