You are about to visit a Philips global content page
Continue
Nov 09, 2023
By the Philips Foundation team
Following a partner meeting in Nairobi, Philips Foundation is intensifying its strategy to foster an ecosystem approach in harnessing health innovations of social enterprises, aimed at improving healthcare access and addressing service delivery gaps in Kenya.
Nairobi, Kenya – Philips Foundation, with its mission to provide access to quality healthcare for 100 million people a year by 2030, today announced its increased focus on investing in social entrepreneurs to advance locally-enabled innovation and enhance the quality of healthcare delivery through an ecosystem approach. This heightened focus on collaboration with social entrepreneurs operating in Kenya comes after initial successes since the foundation launched its subsidiary, Philips Foundation Impact Investments, in 2021. Muthoni Ntonjira, General Manager of Philips Kenya, on the foundation’s trajectory: “Over the past five years, Philips Foundation’s impact in the country has been substantial by leveraging Philips technology. Today marks a new chapter where Philips Foundation will extend support to social entrepreneurs, becoming a catalyst for their healthcare innovations. These partnerships are instrumental in delivering affordable quality healthcare in the country.”
Only recently, Philips Foundation reported substantial progress through unique collaborations in Sub-Saharan Africa, improving access to maternal care for 15 million people in 2022 alone. At a partner meeting last week in Nairobi, Kenya, the foundation outlined plans to expand its partnerships with social entrepreneurs in the region. These plans encompass a holistic view of the entrepreneurs' potential – not merely assessing their technology or business model but evaluating their overall readiness to effect meaningful change within the healthcare systems they operate.
Today marks a new chapter where Philips Foundation will extend support to social entrepreneurs, becoming a catalyst for their healthcare innovations.
Muthoni Ntonjira
General Manager of Philips Kenya
Two examples of enterprises supported by the Philips Foundation embedded within Kenya's healthcare systems, each unique in making access to quality healthcare more accessible:
Access Afya – Intricately weaves into Kenya's healthcare framework with its innovative "clinic in a box" model, which provides fully-equipped, licensed healthcare facilities in response to the concerning statistic that, in 2019, only one in nine health facilities in Nairobi County was registered and licensed to operate [1]. This initiative improves access to quality healthcare by delivering a range of essential services through both physical walk-in Curafa clinics and digital platform mDakthari, particularly serving communities where formal healthcare infrastructure is lacking.
Penda Health – At the heart of Penda Health’s mission is the delivery of an exceptional patient experience, enabled by quality health technologies and data analytics. By integrating advanced systems like Philips' X-ray and ultrasound equipment with their mobile health platforms, Penda Health is not just streamlining clinic operations – it's personalizing healthcare. This approach ensures each patient encounter is efficient, affordable, and tailored to the unique needs of Kenya’s communities. Penda Health’s dedication to leveraging technology is transforming how care is delivered, making healthcare accessible to all.
Observing the dedication of these social entrepreneurs, and helping to integrate their innovations, reaffirms our commitment to creating a healthier future for all.
Margot Cooijmans
Director of the Philips Foundation
An ecosystem approach Philips Foundation considers the development of a healthcare ecosystem crucial, as it improves collaboration among the social enterprises it supports, amplifying their joint impact. Key examples are: Connecting solutions for improved access – Philips Foundation’s collaboration with NCD Alliance and the Ministry of Health Kenya leverages Philips’ portable ultrasound and iMedrix’ mobile-connected electrocardiography (ECG) technology, KardioScreen. This partnership aids doctors in swiftly diagnosing and managing heart conditions. Having trained over 100 health workers in Siaya County, the initiative strengthens the tele-cardiology network near community care centers. Consequently, KardioScreen diminishes the necessity for patients to travel to distant and more costly hospitals for cardiac screening and consultations. [1] Global Citizen (2019). There are over 9,000 clinics in Kenya’s Nairobi County. Only 1,079 are legal. For further information, please contact: Yannick Eshuijs
Interlinking radiology services – Rology stands out by integrating a teleradiology platform into Kenyan hospitals and clinics, such as linking with Philips X-ray and ultrasound services at Penda Health. Rology’s platform bridges the significant gap between the limited number of radiologists and patient needs, especially given the country's ratio of one radiologist per one million people [2]. The FDA-approved teleradiology platform connects medical cases with remote radiologists at no initial setup cost, ensuring prompt, quality diagnostic reports. By leveraging AI to streamline case preparation and assignment, Rology not only enhances the efficiency of radiological services in clinics but also makes them more cost-effective.
“Each story from our partners is a testament to the power of passion in transforming healthcare. We are not just investing in technologies; we are investing in hope, determination, and the entrepreneurial spirit that drives societal improvement,” says Margot Cooijmans, Director of the Philips Foundation. “Observing the dedication of these social entrepreneurs, and helping to integrate their innovations, reaffirms our commitment to creating a healthier future for all.”
[2] The Lancet (2021). Medical imaging and nuclear medicine: a Lancet Oncology Commission
Philips Foundation
Tel.: +31 6 1852 6633
E-mail: yannick.eshuijs@philips.com
LinkedIn Profile
Philips Foundation is a registered non-profit organization established in 2014 – with a mission to provide access to quality healthcare for underserved communities across the globe. By leveraging Philips’ capabilities and combining them with the experience and expertise of non-governmental organizations and other community-focused and impact-driven enterprises, Philips Foundation helps create innovative pathways to open up affordable healthcare for communities most in need. By also partnering with innovative social entrepreneurs rooted in the local ecosystem, Philips Foundation aims to increase access to healthcare for 100 million people a year by 2030. More information can be found at www.philips-foundation.com Read MoreShow less
