Boehringer Ingelheim and WHO Foundation Collaborate to Boost Global Healthcare Access and Suicide Prevention Efforts

Boehringer Ingelheim and WHO Foundation Collaborate to Boost Global Healthcare Access and Suicide Prevention Efforts

(IN BRIEF) Boehringer Ingelheim and the WHO Foundation have partnered to promote equitable healthcare access and suicide prevention, with a focus on vulnerable communities in the Americas. Boehringer Ingelheim pledged $5 million to support WHO’s 2025–2028 General Program of Work and fund evidence-based interventions aimed at improving mental health care access. Both organizations aim to raise awareness and pool resources to make healthcare more accessible globally, with Boehringer Ingelheim also supporting other mental health initiatives like the Friendship Bench in Zimbabwe.

(PRESS RELEASE) INGELHEIM, 15-Oct-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — In a significant collaboration, Boehringer Ingelheim, a global biopharmaceutical leader in both human and animal health, has joined forces with the WHO Foundation to address pressing healthcare challenges. Together, they have pledged $5 million to promote equitable access to healthcare, particularly for vulnerable populations across the Americas, with a focus on suicide prevention.

Through this partnership, Boehringer Ingelheim will support WHO’s Fourteenth General Program of Work (2025–2028) and contribute to WHO’s Investment Round. This financial backing is aimed at bolstering evidence-based interventions in underserved communities, aligning with WHO’s mission to achieve “Health for All.”

Anil Soni, CEO of the WHO Foundation, highlighted the importance of this collaboration: “Boehringer Ingelheim’s pledge of predictable and flexible resources represents a vital contribution to WHO’s call for public-private partnerships. By donating for the first time, Boehringer Ingelheim has broadened the base of WHO supporters, reinforcing WHO’s role in global public health.”

Médard Schoenmaeckers, Global Head of Corporate Affairs at Boehringer Ingelheim, echoed the urgency of the issue: “It’s deeply concerning that many patients in underserved communities lack access to life-saving healthcare services. Our collaboration with the WHO Foundation is aimed at increasing access and improving outcomes for these populations.”

This partnership underscores Boehringer Ingelheim’s long-term commitment to mental health research and the redefinition of healthcare for people living with serious mental illnesses. Boehringer Ingelheim has supported various mental health initiatives globally, including the Friendship Bench program in Zimbabwe, where grandmothers are trained as therapists to deliver mental health care.

Both organizations are focused on mobilizing resources to improve access to mental health services. Boehringer Ingelheim hopes this partnership will inspire further industry and philanthropic support, combining efforts to create lasting change and ensure equitable access to healthcare for those who need it most.

Boehringer Ingelheim

Boehringer Ingelheim is a biopharmaceutical company active in both human and animal health. As one of the industry’s top investors in research and development, the company focuses on developing innovative therapies that can improve and extend lives in areas of high unmet medical need. Independent since its foundation in 1885, Boehringer takes a long-term perspective, embedding sustainability along the entire value chain. More than 53,500 employees serve over 130 markets to build a healthier, more sustainable, and equitable tomorrow. Learn more at www.boehringeringelheim.com.

WHO Foundation

The WHO Foundation is an independent global organization working to improve health equity around the world. We connect donors with those on the frontlines of health challenges to create lasting change. The Foundation forms impactful partnerships and develops innovative ways to fund important health projects. Our goal is to inspire private support and build strong partnerships that advance WHO’s mission to improve health and protect vulnerable communities. For more information, visit: https://who.foundation.

Media Contact:

Harro Ten Wolde
Head of Global Media Relations
E-Mail: harro.ten_wolde@boehringer-ingelheim.com
Phone Number: +49 (6132) 77-181352

SOURCE: Boehringer Ingelheim