10JUL 2013

VOL.15
Pakistan

Otsuka Welfare Clinic in Peshawar Celebrates 10 Years of Dedicated Field Medical Aid for Afghan Refugees

Ten years ago, Otsuka Pharmaceutical, together with Otsuka Pakistan Ltd. with 24 other Otsuka Group companies operating in Asia and the Middle East, founded the Otsuka Welfare Clinic in Peshawar, Pakistan to provide free medical service to Afghan refugees in need.

Driven into Pakistan by conflict in Afghanistan, 1.8 million refugees were living in camps and were desperately short of food and clothing much less medical care.

Since the opening of Otsuka Welfare Clinic, more than 687,000 people have visited the clinic.

As a health company, the Otsuka Group sought to find a way to directly help refugees in the field. The clinic also treats local residents and helps to relieve the burden of other medical facilities in the area that are flooded with patients.

Although many corporations and organizations were providing various sorts of relief supplies to the refugees, Otsuka Group companies decided to join forces to establish a free medical clinic managed by Otsuka Pakistan, in order to directly assist people suffering from sickness and ailments.

The clinic currently employs eight regular staff, including three physicians, assisted by nurses, pharmacists and midwives. The clinic mainly sees women and children, providing treatment for respiratory, digestive, dermatological, obstetric and gynecological ailments as well as ophthalmology and otolaryngology.

In July 2010, heavy flooding caused by severe rainfall in the region caused considerable damage at the nearby Aza Khel Refugee Camp. Clinic staff traveled to the area to set up a temporary treatment facility to provide care for people.

In December 2011, Japan's ambassador to Pakistan bestowed recognition to the Otsuka Welfare Clinic for its outstanding contribution to community welfare through the provision of free medical, and having a positive influence on Japan-Pakistan relations.