Fresenius Medical Care announced today that it joined the Zero Health Gaps Pledge at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
As part of the Global Health Equity Network (GHEN), the pledge brings together stakeholders from the public and private sectors. In line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, they aim to advance a collective vision of “Zero Health Gaps,” making improvements in health equity.
In total, 39 organizations joined the pledge. Medtronic announced yesterday that it took part. Other medtech companies joining include Henry Schein, Hologic and Philips, according to the World Economic Forum.
Fresenius said its involvement marks a commitment to “meaningful action and collaboration toward health equity.”
“We believe that access to equitable and high-quality health care is a fundamental human right, and we are committed to working with global leaders and organizations to improve the lives of millions of people throughout the world,” said Helen Giza, CEO of Fresenius Medical Care. “We will also look inward and achieve clear, actionable steps to make our processes economically and environmentally sustainable while increasing access to the care we provide in the global communities we serve.”
How Fresenius already addressed health equity
Fresenius said joining the Zero Health Gaps Pledge represents a direct response to growing health disparities across the globe. However, the company has already made strides in this area.
The company offers a Health Equity Dashboard, providing important demographic and regional data. This helps identify possible inequities in key patient outcomes. Fresenius said its goal is to tailor interventions to individuals in different locations, ensuring there are no care delivery gaps.
Dr. Nwamaka Eneanya, head of strategy and operations for Fresenius’ global medical office, will lead its global health equity strategy. This includes its efforts to meet the Zero Health Gaps Pledge. She joins Mignon Early, VP of diversity, equity and inclusion, to work on this. They plan to ensure the company develops strategic initiatives in the context of its own diverse employee base.
“Around 3.8 million patients worldwide regularly undergo dialysis treatment. Fresenius Medical Care is passionate about the importance of closing the gaps in health equity,” said Dr. Franklin W. Maddux, Fresenius global CMO. “We are excited to help lead the way for the international healthcare community by taking the Zero Health Gaps Pledge and look forward to tackling this significant challenge head-on.”