AstraZeneca lands three major wins at Healthcare Asia Medtech Awards 2024

It won the Hospital Partnership of the Year - Singapore, Patient Advocacy Program of the Year - Singapore, and the Sustainability Initiative of the Year - Singapore titles.

Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca won big at the recently held Healthcare Asia Medtech Awards 2024 for its partnership with several networks to support a Healthier Singapore (SG), Cancer Can Give (CCG) movement, and Green Innovation Centre (GIC).

The company is the first to establish a three-year tripartite memorandum of understanding (MOU) with SingHealth Polyclinics (SHP) and GP+ Co-operative, comprising a network of private primary care physicians, to launch SHP’s Primary Care Research Institute (PCRI) in August 2023.

The MOU stands as an innovative collaboration between the public and private entities to facilitate impactful research, enabling primary care professionals and industry partnerships to improve health outcomes. 

The signing of the MOU and the launch of PCRI supports Singapore’s Healthier SG strategy and elevates primary care research capabilities. It is also further underscored by the notable presence of the Ministry of Health Senior Minister of State Dr. Janil Puthucheary. 

“By co-creating preventive health tools, upskilling primary care professionals, and exploring innovative care models, AstraZeneca Singapore demonstrates a forward-thinking approach,” the company said.

AstraZeneca secured the Hospital Partnership of the Year - Singapore category win for this successful partnership.

Meanwhile, the CCG initiative, which was initially launched in 2019, is also aimed towards raising awareness about cancer survivors and empowering patients and the community at large.  It revolves around three pillars: addressing societal needs, imparting valuable skills, and focussing on reducing humanity’s impact on the environment. 

It goes beyond the conventional approach of providing medical support for cancer patients but also empowers them to contribute meaningfully to society.

This is exemplified by its collaboration with non-profit organisations such as Waterways Watch Society for river clean-up activities. Throughout the movement, the company has conducted a total of nine waterway clean-ups, engaging 308 volunteers who collectively collected 508 kg of trash. Key public figures have also been present in these activities for support.

The CCG has also involved cancer survivors in conducting art therapy for the elderly at Filos Community Services.

“Engaging in diverse initiatives such as environmental conservation, community involvement, and charity expeditions, we demonstrate our commitment to exploring and embracing innovative avenues for connecting with cancer survivors. These multifaceted activities also aptly capture the diverse aspects of the cancer survivor experience,” AstraZeneca said.

AstraZeneca brought home the Patient Advocacy Program of the Year - Singapore for the CCG initiative.

Lastly, the GIC stands out as a collaborative initiative that introduces cutting-edge technologies to promote sustainability, sponsored by 13 Swedish-based companies in Singapore. This project seeks to empower the local community to embrace a sustainable urban lifestyle through the dissemination of knowledge, provision of solutions and services related to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle programme, and the promotion of green living practices.

All of these objectives align with Singapore’s Green Plan, significantly contributing to the advancement of sustainable urban living.

Under this initiative, AstraZeneca and the partners transform underutilised spaces into urban gardens by installing a closed solar energy loop, smart rodent traps, a rainwater harvesting system, low-carbon concrete pathways, and a net-zero outdoor living room made of recycled materials.

At the same time, AstraZeneca launched community workshops for cancer survivors that integrate therapeutic horticulture and skills development. This workshop fosters mindfulness and positive social interactions amongst patients.

“The bottom-up collaborative approach allows for flexibility and inclusivity, ensuring the initiative stays attuned to the evolving needs of the community. The incorporation of diverse elements, from smart technologies to therapeutic horticulture, reflects a dynamic strategy,” the company said.

AstraZeneca took home the Sustainability Initiative of the Year - Singapore for its efforts towards the GIC, positioning the initiative to evolve in response to emerging sustainability challenges and opportunities. 

The prestigious awards programme spotlights exceptional medtech companies across Asia who have consistently gone above and beyond to serve their customers with groundbreaking innovations.

The Healthcare Asia Medtech Awards is presented by Healthcare Asia Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2025 awards programme and be acclaimed for your organisation's initiatives and contribution to enhancing the industry's overall performance, please contact Julie Anne Nuñez at [email protected].