In 2020, the Company entered into a four-year partnership agreement with the International Telecommunication Union (Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland, hereinafter ITU), the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies, to support "Be He@lthy, Be Mobile" (hereinafter BHBM) in ophthalmology, an initiative of ITU and the World Health Organization (Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland).
BHBM is a digital health initiative between the WHO and ITU in support of the WHO's expansion of services in non-communicable diseases. This initiative is designed to raise awareness of the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases through the use of mobile phones and digital devices in order to realize healthy lifestyles. It is estimated that almost the entire world population (97％) lives within reach of a mobile cellular signal, and today its service is expanding digital health services and geographic reach, including the distribution of health information and content to end users through SMS (short message service) and digital device apps. Millions of people have already been reached through the programs and evaluation shows that they are impacting positively on users' health.
As part of this effort, a toolkit on how to implement MyopiaEd was launched in March 2022. The toolkit includes guidance and resources for adapting, implementing, and monitoring educational campaigns on myopia aiming to raise awareness of the disease and promote good eye care behaviors.
Local Capacity Building
Santen aims to reduce the loss of social and economic opportunities for people around the world due to eye conditions by striving to improve the welfare of patients in the ophthalmic field as our specialty.
Supporting Training for Young Ophthalmologists from Low-resource Countries
Santen supports the three-month International Council of Ophthalmology (hereinafter, ICO) Fellowship Program, which offers young ophthalmologists from low-resource countries the opportunity to stay in more developed countries to enhance their ophthalmological knowledge and skills. Santen has continued to make a donation to cover ICO fellowships for three people every year. We aim to contribute to improving medical standards in areas with unmet medical needs by supporting the training of young ophthalmologists.
As of 2024, ophthalmologists from Malaysia, Thailand, Egypt, Turkey, Mexico and India have completed their training in the U.S., Finland, Nepal, UK and others respectively. In 2025, young ophthalmologists from Mexico, Nepal, Yemen, and Pakistan are scheduled to undergo training in Peru, the United States, India, and Italy.
Enhancing Healthcare Access through Nurse Training in Southeast Asia
We have entered into a strategic partnership agreement with Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC) in 2021, which is internationally recognized as a world leader in ophthalmic professional education. Based on this partnership, SNEC has developed innovative merged online-offline hybrid educational programs. These programs have been rolled out in Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The aim of these programs are primarily designed to enhance the skills of non-physician healthcare professionals, particularly ophthalmic nurses, so that some medical practices can be appropriately delegated to them, thereby ensuring more efficient use of limited medical human resources. We aim to cover the necessary operational costs primarily through tuitions fees, enabling local educational institutions to autonomously manage the programs and become self-sustaining, including in terms of revenue. This initiative is part of our commitment to building a robust medical ecosystem.
By delegating certain responsibilities from ophthalmologists to ophthalmic nurses, the capacity of ophthalmologists to treat a greater number of patients is enhanced. Consequently, patients who previously lacked access to treatment can now receive care. Through our involvement in these educational programs, Santen aims to provide more patients with treatment opportunities, contribute to their care, and further expand the role of our products in ophthalmic healthcare.
Overview of Mechanism for Providing Educational Programs to Eye Care Professionals
Raising Awareness with Digital Health Programs in Developing Countries
Supporting Educational Program for Ophthalmologists in Uveitis Field in Asia
Santen is supporting on-line educational program for trainee and practicing ophthalmologists in the uveitis field especially in Asia through donation to L V Prasad Eye Institute which is managed by Hyderabad Eye Institute in India since 2021.
This program held over the course of almost one year, including special interest group meetings, key note lectures, grand rounds and interactive meetings, in addition to moderate classes. In the first year, approximately 140 people participated; in the second year, about 130 people; and in the third year, more than 300 people participated. Participants are not only from India but also from outside India, and the event has been well-received as a valuable opportunity by the participants.
Uveitis on-line education
Developing Researchers in Japan
Santen's Nara Research and Development Center operates the Functional Polymer Science Laboratory established in 2005 in collaboration with Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST). Serving as visiting professors, associate professors and collaborative research staff members, Santen's employees familiar with this field of specialty teach students who aim to become researchers. So far, this laboratory has produced 15 master's degree graduates and four PhD degree graduates
In the laboratory
Developing Ophthalmologists in China
The Company has made great efforts to help the development of the ophthalmology industry in China. As early as 1966, we established Santen Scholarship to cultivate more Chinese ophthalmology talents and improve the specialized level of ophthalmology doctors. Over the years, Santen Scholarship has provided a variety of academic support programs, which benefit generations of ophthalmology HCPs. The total amount of Santen Scholarship has reached over 21 million RMB by the end of 2020.
In addition, Santen has recently worked with Beijing Bethune Charitable Foundation to promote the standardization of glaucoma diagnosis and treatment in China through the "Glaucoma Standardization Center Construction Project". This not only benefits the majority of glaucoma patients, but also improves the level of diagnosis and treatment in China.
2020 Santen Scholarship Memorandum signing site
Glaucoma Standardization Center Construction Project Phase II
Official SNS
