Boehringer Ingelheim has joined forces with the WHO Foundation to enhance access to quality healthcare, with a particular emphasis on mental health services for vulnerable populations in the Americas.
Together, with $5m funding from Boehringer, the two will facilitate evidence-based mental health interventions and promote equitable access to healthcare in regions where the risk of suicide is significantly higher – due to limited healthcare resources.
The initiative aims to support the WHO’s upcoming Fourteenth General Program of Work by contributing to its Investment Round, with Boehringer’s financial backing representing a key contribution from the industry to WHO’s broader mission of ‘Health for All’.
The company is already heavily invested in mental health research, and through this partnership, Boehringer not only addresses critical gaps in access to mental health services but also strengthens its leadership position in global health initiatives.
The pharmaceutical industry plays a pivotal role in driving these kinds of initiatives, as highlighted by Anil Soni, CEO, WHO Foundation: “WHO’s mission of Health for All can only be achieved with the combined commitment of the public and private sectors. Boehringer Ingelheim recognizes this and is meeting WHO’s call to action by making a pledge of predictable and flexible resources.”
“Limited or no access to help for patients is alarming, especially in underserved communities,” commented Médard Schoenmaeckers, Global Head of Corporate Affairs, Boehringer Ingelheim, in a press release. “We truly look forward to our collaboration with the WHO Foundation and its partners as we want to increase access to life-saving healthcare services.”
Boehringer’s involvement in mental health also extends beyond this collaboration. The company has supported private initiatives such as the Friendship Bench, an evidence-based mental health program in Zimbabwe that enlists grandmothers as volunteer therapists.
