When the chain of care breaks: how Philips Foundation is working to strengthen maternal and child health

At the same time, models such as Access Afya in Kenya and iKure in India bring primary healthcare closer to where people live, often in informal settlements where healthcare pathways typically begin. In these settings, care often starts outside formal systems, in local clinics or community-based providers. By combining physical access points with digital tools and structured care pathways, these models make it easier for women to enter the system earlier and more consistently, reducing delays in care.

When the first weeks of pregnancy pass without the right guidance

Once a woman is pregnant, the need for timely guidance becomes critical. Conditions such as high blood pressure, anemia, or infections can develop early and quietly, increasing the risk of complications later in pregnancy.

In Uganda, Philips Foundation works since 2024 with the Ambrosoli Foundation to strengthen this early stage of care. By combining community education with practical tools such as high-risk pregnancy cards, women and families are better equipped to recognize warning signs. These tools are intentionally simple and visual, ensuring they can be used effectively even in low-literacy settings, and helping translate clinical risk into something that can be understood and acted upon at home.

When the window for early screening is missed

During the first 24 weeks of pregnancy, an ultrasound scan can reveal at-risk pregnancies that shape the entire course of care [2]. In many underserved settings, this screening opportunity is missed because women access care late, or the tools and training are not available at primary care level.

In East Africa, Philips Foundation works with Imaging the World to make ultrasound accessible at the point of care. Through dedicated training programs and a specialized facility in Kampala, midwives are equipped to perform basic obstetric ultrasound, enabling earlier identification of high-risk pregnancies and more informed referral decisions.

In Bangladesh, Philips Foundation works with BRAC to strengthen access to maternal and child health services in hard-to-reach island communities. By establishing fully functional health facilities and expanding community outreach, the project improves coverage of antenatal care, including early screening, and strengthens the identification and referral of high-risk pregnancies.

By bringing screening and care closer to where women live, these approaches reduce delays in detecting complications and improve the likelihood that high-risk pregnancies are identified and managed in time.

What this shows

Across these examples, a clear pattern emerges. Maternal and child health outcomes depend on whether the chain of care holds from early health screenings to postnatal support. When it breaks, risks go unmanaged and complications can escalate, often at critical moments.

Ventures such as GOAL 3 support this stage by enabling continuous monitoring in primary care and hospital settings for busy, underresourced pediatric units. With hundreds of monitoring devices already deployed and national scale-up underway in countries such as Malawi and Rwanda, these systems help healthcare providers detect deterioration early and respond more effectively. This strengthens acute readiness and improves patient outcomes when time is critical.

In underserved communities, these gaps reflect real barriers: distance to care centers, cost, limited information and systems that are difficult to navigate. Philips Foundation’s approach is to strengthen this chain end to end. Grant-based projects focus on building the foundations, equipping primary care, training health workers, and improving referral pathways. Impact investments support solutions that simplify access, connect care, and make it easier for women to move through the system. Together, they form one approach, reducing friction at every step and increasing the likelihood that care is received in time.