Project run in 15 primary schools recognised for its benefits for the local community and children living with  diabetes.

Together with its partners, the Polish affiliate of Sanofi has been granted the prestigious Health Collaboration Award organized by the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA). 

The Health Collaboration Awards have been held by EFPIA annually since 2016. They aim to promote the most valuable and impactful programmes for patients and health systems, involving cooperation of multi-stakeholders at the local, national and EU level. Out of 80 submissions this year, the KIDS and diabetes in Schools (KiDS) project implemented in Poland was recognized as an innovative programme in the prevention and awareness category.

The KiDS project, initiated in 2014 by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), in collaboration with Sanofi and other partners, aims to foster a safe and supportive environment in schools for children with diabetes, and encourage the adoption of good healthy habits from an early age. In Poland, the project has been implemented in the Podkarpacie region since 2016, involving a number of organisations, including the Polish Diabetes Association, the University of Rzeszów, Rzeszów City Hall and the Ministry of National Education. Its scope covers 15 primary schools in Rzeszów, 1370 children and their parents, 40 teachers and 250 students of the Medical Faculty at the University of Rzeszów.

The EFPIA jury acknowledged the important social impact of the project, its scale, and tangible benefits for the local community (especially in a highly sensitive area, such as children's health) and children living with diabetes.

"We are really proud to win this award. It assures us that as a global leader of the pharmaceutical sector and one of the key investors in Poland, we have the chance to make real changes to the lives of people in Poland, both adults and children,” said Magdalena Kruszewska, President of the Board, Sanofi Poland.

The award winners have the choice to use their prize for social or charitable purposes. The KiDS project has decided to donate the EUR 5,000 prize to the University of Rzeszów.

"We are proud to have participated in the KiDS project and glad that students of the University of Rzeszow so willingly engaged themselves with this important project. Entrusting to the Medical students of our University the education of the  school audience,  did not only raise awareness in schools, but also  created added value to the student’s tutelage, motivating them  and making them socially responsible," said Prof. dr hab. Sylwester Czopek, President of Rzeszów University.

“Worldwide over 1.1 million children and adolescents are living with type 1 diabetes. Schools should provide these children a safe and supportive environment. The KiDS project stresses the importance of diabetes education from an early age. Bringing together international non-profit organisations, industry partners, local diabetes associations and educational institutions has helped deliver a project that can make a real difference. Receiving the EFPIA Prevention & Awareness award is an honour that recognises the success of our combined efforts,”said Prof. Nam H. Cho, IDF President.