A new type of coronavirus, which is raging in the world and here in Kazakhstan, has overshadowed a number of other diseases, although patients suffering from various ailments still need help and support. In this difficult time, the leaders of the world pharmaceutical industry are not only working on the creation of vaccines and drugs for the new virus, but also showing their social responsibility to society.

So in Kazakhstan, schools have been organized for patients with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II), and hemophilia. Through regular online seminars and trainings, patients receive important practical information from healthcare professionals, as well as share the problems they face in relation to diseases. These patient schools not only solve the problem of lack of information for patients, but also help them overcome inevitable psychological problems.

The biopharmaceutical company Takeda organized and initiated the schools in participation with the following public funds: Help Today, the fund for patients with mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases called Zhana Omir, the fund for assistance to persons with IBD called KazIOR, Together Against Cancer, the Kazakhstan Association of Disabled People with Hemophilia Fund, as well as Kazakhstan healthcare professionals.

At the same time, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Kazakhstan, there is a shortage of infusion systems for the planned administration of drugs to patients with chronic diseases, since special attention is paid to the functioning of the intensive care and intensive care units, where these systems are used for severe patients. In particular, patients with a rare genetic disease – Hunter syndrome, also known as type II mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS II) – have difficulties with the proper administration of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), which can lead to an increase in adverse reactions and a decrease in adherence to therapy.

Based on requests from patients with MPS II from different regions of Kazakhstan, Takeda donated to the Help Today Fund, which made it possible to cover the needs of all patients needing infusion systems and ensure the continuity of enzyme replacement therapy.

As a result of the additional donation, all patients with Hunter syndrome in need received the necessary equipment to continuously treat their chronic disease, even in the face of a pandemic. Ensuring proper administration of enzyme replacement therapy for patients with Hunter syndrome is critical to prevent complications and improve quality of life.