DKSH Launches “Patient Purpose Day 2025” to Champion Women’s Health

DKSH Business Unit Healthcare has launched its third annual “Patient Purpose Day 2025,” a global initiative aimed at enhancing patient outcomes with a specific focus on women’s health equity. The event, held across 12 markets in the Asia Pacific region and Switzerland, underscores DKSH’s commitment to improving healthcare access and resources for women. This year’s theme, “Equity in Women’s Health,” coincided with “World Patient Safety Day” and featured a variety of health and wellness activities designed to empower employees and engage communities.

The initiative highlights the urgent need for improvement in women’s health. According to the Journal of Women’s Health, nearly three-quarters of diseases that predominantly affect women remain underfunded. Furthermore, a report from the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Alliance indicates that women face significant gender-based barriers in accessing healthcare services. Alarmingly, two out of every three women worldwide die from non-communicable diseases (NCDs). A recent survey by the World Economic Forum revealed that at least 1 in 5 female patients in the Asia-Pacific region have delayed seeking healthcare due to familial responsibilities.

Bijay Singh, Global Head of the Business Unit Healthcare at DKSH, emphasized the importance of this initiative by stating, “We believe that healthcare is a fundamental right for everyone. The challenges many women encounter regarding their health must be addressed urgently. By focusing on ‘Equity in Women’s Health’ for this year’s Patient Purpose Day, DKSH advocates for improved healthcare access and support for all, especially women.”

Community Engagement and Fundraising Efforts

Throughout September, DKSH employees and partners engaged in activities that brought healthcare education and support to thousands of patients. The initiative raised approximately CHF 149,000 (USD 186,200), with around CHF 89,000 (USD 111,200) in in-kind donations and CHF 60,000 (USD 75,000) in financial contributions. Notably, CHF 16,000 (USD 20,000) was raised during the Patient Purpose Day Run in Thailand, showcasing the community’s commitment to health equity.

Haylee Money, Vice President of Human Resources Business Partner for Healthcare at DKSH, remarked on the company’s progress in promoting female representation, noting that women hold 36% of senior leadership positions at DKSH. She expressed pride in extending this focus to their Patient Purpose initiatives, reinforcing the company’s aim to enhance equity in women’s healthcare.

DKSH’s “Patient Purpose Day” collaborates with local NGOs, hospitals, and advocacy groups to create tangible impacts. The activities included health education sessions, health check-ups, and initiatives designed to empower women with health literacy. DKSH’s mission remains clear: to dismantle barriers that hinder access to quality healthcare.

A Commitment to Improving Lives

DKSH’s purpose is to enrich people’s lives. For more than 160 years, the company has marketed, sold, and distributed high-quality products for multinational and Fortune 500 companies. Operating through its Business Units—Consumer Goods, Healthcare, Performance Materials, and Technology—DKSH aims to deliver sustainable growth for its partners while improving the quality of life for its employees and communities.

Headquartered in Switzerland, DKSH is publicly listed and operates in 36 markets across Asia Pacific, Europe, and North America. The company employs over 28,000 specialists and reported net sales of CHF 11.1 billion in 2024. Within its Healthcare Business Unit, which generated net sales of CHF 5.7 billion in 2024, approximately 8,000 specialists work to distribute and commercialize pharmaceuticals, consumer health products, and medical devices.

Through initiatives like “Patient Purpose Day 2025,” DKSH continues to demonstrate its commitment to patient-centric healthcare, focusing particularly on improving health equity for women.