COVID-19: INTERVIEW WITH SANAA SAYAGH, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF ROCHE MAROC

“We have a responsibility as a healthcare player”

What is Roche’s situation in Morocco in this context of health crisis?

Today, given our sector of activity, we are continuing to work almost normally, even though this is taking place in a much more complicated situation. We have a responsibility as a healthcare player, and we are inevitably in great demand from everyone working in the sector – doctors, pharmacists… – who need to be informed about our products and the state of stocks. We have therefore put in place appropriate measures to respond to this and to work while reducing the risks.

How do you reconcile continuing work with the safety of your employees?

First of all, certain activities such as medical promotion are suspended for the time being. However, our scientific liaison staff remain available while working remotely to meet the information needs and priorities of the medical profession during this period

For our employees who have to ensure the availability of our products on the market, we have followed and applied the official recommendations: protective equipment, distancing, but also a transport service for our teams so that they feel safe. We are also carrying out decontamination operations as indicated by the group’s guidelines and the government authorities. The rollout of all these measures and preventive practices has been explained through various communication channels in order to make employees fully aware.

With all our teams, whether working remotely or on site, we regularly hold virtual work meetings. Beyond professional activity, it is important to maintain a bond and to provide psychological support to our employees during this difficult period.

In your view, what is the positive aspect of this crisis?

In my view, this crisis brings us back to essential values. This context shows us that priority must be given to health in terms of human resources, but also in terms of research and development, and infrastructure. This crisis also teaches us that other paths are possible, notably that of digitalisation. Today, what matters is that everyone remains vigilant and positive. In this respect, managers and those in charge have a duty to set an example and spread it within their teams.