Novo Nordisk, a global insulin maker, has vowed to create awareness among the people about diabetes in Bangladesh to help them prevent the disease, which is avertable by practicing disciplined lifestyle.
"Bangladesh is very important for us and we want to change diabetes scenario through creating awareness," Susanne Stormer, Vice President, Corporate Sustainability (chief sustainability officer), Novo Nordisk, A/S, Denmark, told the FE in interview in the city recently.
She was in Dhaka to attend a conference on "Sustainable Growth in RMG and Beyond," organised by Danish government with support from Bangladesh government, International Labour Organisation (ILO), and Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).
Susanne Stormer said that a healthy economy, environment and society are fundamentals to the long-term business success.
If the diabetic patients are not treated timely, it causes hindrance to the growth of economy in the long run, she said and laid tress on addressing the issue for the sake of economic growth, apart from the healthy society.
"This is why, Novo Nordisk manage its business in accordance with the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) business principle and pursue business solutions that maximize value to our stakeholders", she said.
Quoting data of the International Diabetes Federation South-East Asia, she said that there were 5.9 million cases of diabetes in Bangladesh in 2014.
The number is expected to be doubled by 2030, she said.
Under the TBL business principle, Novo Nordisk takes any decision that combines three considerations: is it financially, socially and environmentally responsible?
By the business principle, the company wanted to optimise its business performance and enhance contribution to the societies here.
"By providing better treatment, raising awareness and advocating for earlier diagnosis and improved health outcomes, we enable people with chronic conditions to live healthier, longer and more productive lives," she said.
"Finally, TBL makes good business; it delivers long-term growth for our business by building trust, protecting and enhancing our licence to operate and attracting and retaining the best people," said the Novo Nordisk official.
As the company's future plan, she said that it will launch its another insulin named Ryzodeg® in Bangladesh in April. It is the combination of two insulin-- insulin degludec and insulin aspart.
"We will continue to provide better and better treatment options near future."
"In our sustainability report 2014, we specifically addressed the linkage between cities and the rise of diabetes."
She further said that you see the people moving to cities for economic opportunity and to be a part of what is happening, but at the same time we see the statistics showing that their health tends to suffer as a result.
"For us, it's really the epitome of the challenges of sustainable development," Susanne Stormer said.
"We would like to see economic growth, of course, but if it comes at a cost to people's health, it's a dilemma. So, we have started addressing what we call 'urban diabetes," she added.
In a query, she said that the issue of awareness and safety came forward after the Rana Plaza collapse; the global buyers have responsibility to play their duties in this connection.
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