We strive in many ways to contribute to advancements in medicine; for example, we are participating in the Kobe Medical Industry Development Project, the aim of which is to create a medical industry cluster. Other efforts include funding courses at universities and donating our products to developing countries. We are also doing all we can to contribute to the eradication of HIV/AIDS in Africa.
Kobe Medical Industry Development Project
Participating in the Kobe Medical Industry Development Project
Having marked its 10th anniversary, the Kobe Medical Industry Development Project aims to create a focal point of healthcare industries in Kobe through industry-government-academia cooperation.
In January 2007, Sysmex Corporation established the Sysmex-Asano Laboratory at the Translational Research Informatics Center (TRI), one of the core facilities of this project. Under the direction of Dr. Shigetaka Asano, a leading expert on hematology, we have since been working on the development of techniques which improve the efficacy and safety of cell therapies such as bone marrow transplantation (BMT).
Funding a Course
Funding a Course at the Kobe University Graduate School
Since 2004, Sysmex Corporation has contributed funds to a course at the Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine. The course, entitled "Assessment of Clinical Testing," aims to establish methods of diagnostic testing which are based on scientific evidence in the area of autoimmune diseases.
To celebrate the fourth anniversary of this course, a special seminar was held at our new R&D core Technopark in February 2009. The seminar was attended by a number of distinguished guests from various medical institutions, Kobe University, and the Kobe city government, as well as the President, directors, and many researchers from Sysmex Corporation.
Combating the Global Probrem of HIV/AIDS
Sysmex helps to diffuse HIV testing in African countries.
Preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS is mentioned in the Millennium Development Goals as one of the most urgent issues which must be taken on by the whole world.
To help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, Sysmex began to its drive to market and donate hematology analyzers and reagents to medical institutions in developing countries in Africa and other regions where healthcare infrastructures have yet to be developed, so that they can monitor the virus in HIV carriers.
See the Highlight 2009 section for details.
Supporting the Advancement of Healthcare in Developing Countries
Technical Training for Trainees from Developing Countries That Are Invited by JICA
JICA trainees visiting the Kakogawa Factory
Every year, Sysmex Corporation provides technical assistance to researchers from developing countries who visit Japan on a program given by the Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA).
In February 2009, the Company accepted eight healthcare professionals from Central Asia, including medical devices engineers from national healthcare centers. Following a tour of our Kakogawa Factory and Solution Center customer support hub, the group of trainees underwent a 12-day training course which included such topics as the principles and operating procedures of hematology analyzers, as well as techniques for their maintenance.
In fiscal 2008, a total of 15 trainees underwent this training at the Company.
