Influencing CSR in healthcare sector

The CSR Leadership Series provide a unique opportunity to business leaders from different sectors to interact with one another, exchange ideas and practices in corporate social responsibility.

These series are intended to serve as a vehicle to raise awareness and provide thought leadership for businesses to fast track their understanding and adoption of corporate social responsibility.

Recently, the Dubai-Chamber of Commerce & Industry's Centre for Responsible Business (CRB) in association with Johnson & Johnson Corporate Citizenship Trust - Middle East Branch (JJCCT) organised its third 'CSR Leadership Forum' for the Healthcare Sector at the pharmaceutical giant's headquarters in Dubai Healthcare City.

The Forum was headed by Dr Belaid Rettab, Executive Director, Economic Research and Sustainable Business Development Sector, Sharon D'Agostino - Vice President Worldwide Corporate Contributions and Community Relations, Dirk Collier - Chairman, Johnson & Johnson Corporate Citizenship Trust, Europe, Middle East & North Africa and Frank Welvaert, Director, Corporate Social Responsibility, Europe Middle East & North Africa.

The forum was attended by key leaders from the Ministry of Health, Saudi German Hospital Group, HDR CUH2A, and Lifescan amongst others.

With its focus on the healthcare sector, the Forum discussed key CSR drivers, main challenges, best practice examples and recommendations for the success of CSR in this particular sector. The forum also highlighted the need for higher collaboration between the government and private sector to tackle

Dr Belaid Rettab, Executive Director, Economic Research and Sustainable Business Development Sector said, "The time is opportune for Dubai to lead the Corporate Social Responsibility agenda in the region by establishing responsible business practices and stronger corporate governance. A strong CSR leadership is an imperative in any formal attempt to institutionalise CSR."

"We strongly believe that CSR in UAE requires more informed debate, research and promotion of good practice. CSR being a fairly new concept in UAE this forum will assist in promoting the growing importance of CSR and hence the role business leaders should take on. It will also be useful platform to hear first-hand from leading figures at the forefront of business in UAE, their views on CSR and the opportunities and challenges it presents to businesses," he added.

Frank Welvaert, Director, Corporate Social Responsibility, Europe, Middle East & North Africa, Johnson & Johnson added, "Our credo was developed by our founder at a time when the world was going through one of the greatest economic depressions in history - he realized that as a business Johnson & Johnson is an integral part of society - we cannot ignore what happens to it. We believe in and are committed to delivering value to the communities we serve working with all stakeholders to achieve a win-win equation for business and society."

The Forum comes at a time when the UAE healthcare sector is among the most dynamic areas of the economy and is set to grow rapidly over the next five years. Sustainability in this sector is becoming a vital issue as Corporate Social Responsibility moves from the periphery into the mainstream business agenda of businesses encouraging broader corporate responsibility toward communities and humanitarian needs.

As this sector rapidly expands it is important that it conducts its business in a responsible manner to match international best practise and to find sustainable solutions to health challenges.