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May 22, 2025
By the Philips Foundation team
Since its establishment in 2014, Philips Foundation has launched more than 300 transformative initiatives to improve access to quality healthcare for underserved communities through innovation and social enterprise investments. In one year alone, Philips Foundation provided access to care to 46.5 million people in some of the most underserved regions around the globe.
A focus on maternal and child health and heart disease Health systems across Sub-Saharan Africa face an array of challenges, including a shortage of health workers, insufficient funding and poor infrastructure [1]. Patients often bear the burden of high out-of-pocket expenses due to inadequate health financing, which further exacerbates the fragmentation of health services [2]. Additionally, significant rural-urban disparities in healthcare access continue to hinder equitable healthcare provision across the region [3]. In response to these pressing issues, the Foundation has concentrated its efforts on enhancing maternal and child health, while also addressing the alarming rise of cardiovascular diseases. “Today, the Foundation’s impact is both immediate and enduring. This progress is made possible through the relentless commitment of dedicated partners and individuals whose efforts are key to saving lives, building healthier futures, and driving sustainable change,” says Margot Cooijmans, Director of the Philips Foundation. Developing high-risk pregnancy referral cards Philips Foundation has been bridging gaps in maternal care by collaborating with local universities and NGOs such as UNICEF to promote health awareness, timely risk detection, and access to quality medical services.
For example, the Foundation partnered with Philips Design and the International Committee of the Red Cross to develop a High-Risk Pregnancy (HRP) toolkit including easy-to-understand referral cards that help recognize signs of high-risk pregnancies and promote awareness of healthy and unhealthy behaviors. These cards have reached approximately 1,800 traditional birth attendants across six African countries, significantly boosting antenatal check-ups among high-risk women living in settings characterized by low literacy rates. Improving access to obstetric ultrasound services Philips Foundation, as part of its efforts to improve access to maternal care in Sub-Saharan Africa, has also been enhancing access to obstetric ultrasound services. In Uganda, Philips Foundation supported Imaging the World Africa in training over 250 healthcare professionals in identifying life-threatening complications. In Kenya, Philips Foundation partnered with Aga Khan University to train midwives, equip health centers, and enhance communication. “Our data indicates that pregnant women are more likely to seek antenatal care when ultrasound services are accessible. Early antenatal attendance is a key component of quality of care, resulting in better birth planning,” explains Marleen Temmerman, Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Aga Khan University.
Our data indicates that pregnant women are more likely to seek antenatal care when ultrasound services are accessible.
Marleen Temmerman
Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Aga Khan University
Tackling cardiovascular diseases in Kenya and Uganda Combatting cardiovascular diseases also remains an important focus for Philips Foundation in Sub-Saharan Africa. Early diagnosis is critical to improving disease outcomes and prevent premature deaths. However, many people in the region lack the primary health care programs for early detection and treatment. In Kenya, Philips Foundation has collaborated with strategic partners to enhance access to cardiac care in underserved regions. Working with the country’s Ministry of Health, the NCD Alliance Kenya, and medtech innovator iMedrix in Siaya County, the Foundation has improved the capacity of primary healthcare providers to triage, screen, test, and manage cardiovascular risk factors and diseases. Philips’ point-of-care ultrasound and iMedrix’s mobile electrocardiogram solution have been used to screen more than 6,000 patients. These technologies enable healthcare providers to promptly diagnose and manage underlying cardiovascular conditions, either at the bedside or remotely, improving cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes. “This project demonstrated the feasibility and effectiveness of integrating advanced diagnostic tools into primary care and highlighted the importance of local partnerships in scaling healthcare innovations. This approach not only improves patients’ long-term health through early and more efficient intervention, but also reduced the economic burden on the health system by preventing more serious and costly health complications and alleviating pressure on healthcare workers,” Caroline Gitonga, Knowledge Management Lead at Philips Foundation, adds. Beyond supporting screening efforts, the Foundation is also involved in research to improve local treatments for heart disease. In Uganda, it has partnered with Heart Healers International to explore treatments for rheumatic heart disease (RHD), a preventable condition responsible for 300,000 global deaths each year.
Research resulting from this collaboration has found that antibiotic prophylaxis among children and adolescents with latent rheumatic heart disease reduces the risk of disease progression. The project team is now working on testing a real-world model for RHD healthcare delivery. Ready for the next decade Philips Foundation has recently expanded its investment portfolio into East Africa, supporting social entrepreneurs who complement existing healthcare systems by providing early-stage and situation-specific investments. One such partners is Ilara Health, a Kenyan health technology enterprise that equips primary care clinics with diagnostic tools, pharmaceuticals, and digital platforms Over the next decade, social entrepreneurs will play an important role in scaling improved access to care throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. Margot Cooijmans concludes, “Building on the success of the past ten years, Philips Foundation is ready for its next decade of powerful impact on healthcare systems and communities in Sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.”
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--- [1] WHO African Region (2022). Chronic staff shortfalls stifle Africa’s health systems: WHO study
[2] African Mission healthcare (2024). The healthcare crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa
[3] Nature (2025). Differences in walking access to healthcare facilities between formal and informal areas in 19 sub-Saharan African cities
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