The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s U.S.-Colombia Business Council (USCBC) and the Global Initiative on Health and the Economy (GIHE) hosted a Public-Private Partnership Forum to Advance Resilient Health Systems in Colombia in Bogota, Colombia on August 10.
The event convened leaders from government, academia, civil society, and the business community to focus on the importance of public-private partnerships (PPPs) as a tool to strengthen the health of communities, and the role of the private sector in building more sustainable and resilient health systems.
The private sector is leading the charge in creating sustainable and resilient heath systems, and in this spotlight series, we hear from business leaders about their company’s impact in Colombia.
Today’s sponsor spotlight is on Sergey Zverev, Managing Director, Colombia-Ecuador Cluster at MSD.
Q: How is your company contributing to advancing health in Colombia, especially in underserved communities?
A: With 75 years of presence in Colombia, MSD has contributed to the well-being and sustainable development of communities through programs and initiatives such as MSD for Mothers and the Grants & Donations program. The MSD for Mothers (MFM) program is a global initiative that aims to reduce maternal mortality and create a world where no woman dies giving birth. In Colombia, MFM has impacted 115,985 women and newborns and 14,730 healthcare professionals in Cauca y Bolívar (2016- 2019).
This year, a new MFM project has been launched in Valledupar in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) seeking to address maternal mortality prevention and perinatal care in migrants, aligned with the national government priorities. Through our Grants & Donations program, we support projects that impact underserved communities; an example of this is our Health Catalyst project for HPV prevention in Arhuaco’s community.
As part of our commitment, we also partnered with territorial authorities to strengthen local healthcare professional capabilities to improve the fulfillment of public health outcomes.
Q: Where does your company see the greatest opportunity for working in partnership with stakeholders to enhance sustainable access to health products and services?
A: In Colombia, we are committed to building sustainable public-private partnerships that contribute to meet the most pressing public health needs such as maternal mortality, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and related cancers including cervical cancer prevention. In addition, we are seeking to expand access in the different territories of the country through the research and development of our clinical trials program in therapeutic areas such as oncology, preventable and infectious diseases, such as dengue.
Q: What will be your company’s legacy in Colombia?
A: Our company's purpose is to use the power of scientific knowledge to save and improve lives around the world. We believe it is our responsibility to deliver healthier tomorrows through our vaccines, medicines, and animal health products that can help patients and communities. In Colombia we seek to be the partners of choice for the national healthcare system, through public-private partnerships to strengthen our purpose of improving health equity and access to innovative treatments and high-quality health services in the different territories of the country.
About the authors
Megan Bridges
Megan Bridges is Senior Manager for the Americas at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and supports the U.S.-Colombia Business Council, U.S.-Mexico Economic Council, U.S.-Canada Business Initiative, and Coalition for the Rule of Law in Global Markets.
