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Philips Foundation has unveiled plans to enhance support for local social entrepreneurs. This strategic shift underscores the foundation’s commitment to invest in innovative healthcare solutions originating within Kenya, with the overarching goal of providing quality care to 100 million people annually by 2030.
Muthoni Ntonjira, General Manager of Philips Kenya, highlighted the foundation’s impactful role in the country over the past five years, leveraging state-of-the-art Philips technology. However, the foundation’s focus has evolved, with a new emphasis on supporting social entrepreneurs as catalysts for healthcare innovations. This shift reflects their dedication to delivering affordable, quality healthcare nationwide.
The foundation’s strategy involves collaborating with and supporting impactful enterprises within Kenya’s healthcare system. Notable partnerships include Access Afya and Penda Health, each pioneering unique approaches to enhance healthcare accessibility and quality.
Access Afya’s “clinic in a box” model delivers fully-equipped, licensed healthcare facilities through physical walk-in ‘Curafa’ clinics and the digital platform ‘mDakthari,’ addressing the shortage of registered and licensed health facilities in Nairobi County. This initiative significantly improves access to essential services in underserved areas.
Penda Health focuses on delivering a superior patient experience through personalized healthcare enabled by cutting-edge health technologies and data analytics. The integration of Philips’ X-ray and ultrasound equipment into mobile health platforms has revolutionized clinic operations, ensuring efficient, affordable, and tailored care for Kenya’s diverse communities.
Additionally, the foundation champions the creation of a robust healthcare ecosystem by fostering collaboration among supported social enterprises. An example is the partnership between Rology, a teleradiology platform, and Penda Health. Rology’s FDA-approved platform connects medical cases with remote radiologists, leveraging AI to streamline diagnostic reports and enhance the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of radiological services in clinics.
The foundation’s collaborations with organizations like the NCD Alliance and the Ministry of Health Kenya demonstrate their commitment to utilizing innovative technologies, such as portable ultrasound and mobile-connected electrocardiography (ECG), to swiftly diagnose and manage heart conditions. These initiatives aim to reduce the need for patients to travel to distant and expensive hospitals for cardiac screening and consultations.
Margot Cooijmans, Director of the Philips Foundation, reiterates their dedication to the transformative power of healthcare innovation. The foundation’s investments extend beyond technologies, encompassing hope, determination, and the entrepreneurial spirit that drives societal improvement. Collaborative efforts with local entrepreneurs represent a significant leap toward realizing a healthier future for all Kenyans.
