Amsterdam, the Netherlands and Nairobi, Kenya: The Philips Foundation, committed to providing quality healthcare to 100 million people annually by 2030, has achieved significant progress in expanding access to maternal healthcare in Sub-Saharan Africa. Through five distinct projects spanning five years, the Foundation has already improved access to maternal care for an impressive 15 million people in 2022 alone.
This substantial impact stems from unique collaborations aimed at imoroving maternal healthcare services in the region. Also, the Foundation recently convened a partner meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, to outline plans for strengthening its ties with social entrepreneurs operating in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“From building health awareness to providing high-quality healthcare, Philips Foundation’s journey with its strategic partners in maternal health for Sub-Saharan Africa is having a significant impact,” Margot Cooijmans, Director of the Philips Foundation, says. “Each part of our programs has been designed with thought and care, offering healthcare workers and patients a livelihood by bringing essential services to their communities. By combining our efforts with innovative social enterprises, we can provide continuity of quality healthcare, leverage local innovations and ensure even more long-term, sustainable impact.”
Key Philips Foundation programs contributing to improved maternal healthcare access in Sub-Saharan Africa include:
Enhancing access to obstetric ultrasound services
In Kenya, Philips Foundation partnered with Aga Khan University to train midwives, equip health centers, and enhance communication, resulting in improved antenatal experiences and early detection of at-risk pregnancies. In Uganda, the foundation supported Imaging the World Africa in training over 250 healthcare professionals, helping to identify life-threatening complications.
Award-winning tool to promote health awareness and early detection
In order to encourage shifts in behavior related to pregnancy risks within underserved communities, Philips Foundation, alongside Philips Design and the ICRC, developed easy-to-understand referral cards for high-risk pregnancies.
Furthermore, The award-winning referral cards have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in boosting healthcare-seeking behavior among high-risk women residing in socio-cultural settings characterized by low literacy rates, leading to increased utilization of healthcare services.
Improving service readiness for maternity care
Together with the Kenya Ministry of Health to amplify medical equipment’s availability and improved functionality, Philips Foundation partnered with UNICEF to introduce a digital tool to supervise and upkeep medical equipment in 100 healthcare facilities. The realization of the project has simplified the process of managing medical equipment, giving facility managers the power to track the status of equipment proficiently, plan timely maintenance, and improve the allocation of resources, thereby ensuring the uninterrupted provision of maternity care.
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Moreover, These achievements accentuate the Foundation’s commitment to cementing maternal healthcare access and its vision of creating lasting positive impact in Sub-Saharan Africa.
