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Nov 19, 2020
By the Philips Foundation team
The Philips Foundation and Philips Indonesia partner with the Indonesian Red Cross to provide mobile ultrasound devices, along with kits for Rapid and PCR testing in order to augment early detection of COVID-19 patients.
Jakarta, Indonesia – Understanding the importance of reducing the spread of the Corona virus as well as accurate and speedy detection of COVID-19 symptoms, the Philips Foundation and Philips Indonesia will contribute 2,000 rapid test kits and 150 PCR test kits, as well as six app-based ultrasound devices to the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI). As the partner chosen by the Philips Foundation, PMI will distribute 1,700 rapid test kits to the public while the remaining 300 rapid test kits and 150 PCR test kits will go to PMI volunteers in the red zones of Jakarta. The six ultrasound devices will be distributed to hospitals in the red zones to help medical personnel diagnose suspected COVID-19 patients. The Chairman of the Indonesian Red Cross, Jusuf Kalla, said that quick detection of the transmission is very important to reduce the spread of the virus. This quickness will also positively impact early management of COVID-19 active cases. “The 3T (testing, tracing and treatment) principals have to be upheld always. This donation really helps the COVID-19 mitigation efforts in the field. We hope that this donation can also help keep the fire within doctors, medical personnel and volunteers doing their job to help others,” said Kalla.
Early detection of COVID-19 by ultrasound technology makes it possible to treat patients faster and may be key to survival
Margot Cooijmans
Director of the Philips Foundation
Together with the Indonesian Red Cross and through Philips Indonesia, the Philips Foundation is hoping to help Indonesians, especially those living in red zones. The Philips Foundation is an organization founded by the Philips company that aims to reduce healthcare inequality by providing access to quality healthcare for disadvantaged communities. “More than ever, the Philips Foundation is striving to help provide access to critical care for those most in need, by leveraging Philips’ expertise, innovative products and solutions,” Margot Cooijmans, Director of the Philips Foundation, said. “Early detection of COVID-19 by ultrasound technology makes it possible to treat patients faster and may be key to survival.” PMI plans on opening posts to conduct rapid tests in places where people gather in Jakarta, such as train and MRT stations, traditional markets and other commercial areas. Meanwhile, the six ultrasound devices will be distributed to COVID-19 referral hospitals, which are the PMI Hospital Bogor (3 units), PMI Lhokseumawe North Aceh (1 unit), Siti Hajar Islam Hospital, Sidoarjo (1 unit) and Faisal Islam Hospital Makassar (1 unit). As a global leader in health technology, Philips Indonesia feels the need to directly contribute to the efforts of preventing transmission as well as early detection of suspected COVID-19 patients in Indonesia. “We are committed to support and help improve the quality of public health. Through this donation, we hope to support the efforts by PMI in early detection of COVID-19 transmission, as well as help ease the work of medical professionals on the front line,” said Pim Preesman, President Director of Philips Indonesia. “We expect that COVID-19 patients can get faster, easier and safer treatment with the use of Lumify, a portable USG device that can be used even in the emergency ward by medical professionals. Philips believes that collaboration between all parties will help us all in facing this difficult situation.” Ultrasound has proven to be valuable in imaging peripheral lung tissue affected by pneumonia, which is closely tied to COVID-19 lung complications. Furthermore, by imaging patients at the point of care (POC), such as in the Emergency Department (ED) or Intensive Care Unit (ICU), clinicians can diagnose and monitor patients without the need to move them around the hospital, helping to reduce the risk of virus transmission to other patients or healthcare professionals.
