Heineken Africa Foundation publishes annual report showcasing innovative programs it supports

HEINEKEN and PharmAccess’ partnership on improving access to health care in Africa dates back to 2002. HEINEKEN, with the help of PharmAccess, was the first company in Africa to provide HIV/AIDS treatment to its personnel and their dependents. A revolutionary first step by the company that helped to open up the African markets for HIV/AIDS treatments. This program has expanded to a broader program aiming to improve the health system in the areas HEINEKEN works. A new step in this close partnership is that since 2010 PharmAccess is also receiving support from the Heineken Africa Foundation for a mobile clinic program in Namibia and a HIV drug resistance project in Nigeria. The two programs are listed in the recently published annual report by the Foundation.

The Heineken Africa Foundation was founded in 2007 by HEINEKEN to support and enhance the improvement of health for the people who live in Sub-Sahara African communities where HEINEKEN is active, by financially supporting relevant health projects and health-related education.  By the end of 2011, the fund has committed to 27 projects totalling € 2,497,950. In Namibia the Foundation supports a program called: Clinic on the move: Mister Sister Mobile Primary Health Care Clinic set up by Namibian Breweries, a member of the Ohlthaver & List Group of Companies and PharmAccess. The objective is to provide mobile, basic health screening and primary healthcare (including health education) to remote communities in three regions, providing healthcare to at least 4,000 people per region per year. Rural, non-brewery employees and their dependents of all ages in rural areas are the primary targets of the service, with their employers contributing towards the cost of the healthcare.

In Nigeria the Heineken Africa Foundation supports the PharmAccess Africa Studies to Evaluate Resistence (PASER). The aim of the research project is to monitor HIV drug resistance amongst adults and children in Lagos University Hospital in order to support patients with HIV and support policy makers in taking informed decisions on optimal adult and paediatric HIV/AIDS treatment.

PharmAccess would like to express its gratitude to the ongoing support of HEINEKEN and the Heineken Africa Foundation in helping to improve the access to quality health care in Africa.

Click here to view the latest annual report by the Heineken Africa Foundation