390 portable tele-ultrasound devices to enhance diagnosis and treatment for more people – Africa.com
Philips (www.Philips.com), a global leader in health technology, has donated funds to the Imbuto Foundation (http://apo-opa.co/4jmx3ex), A local NGO in Rwanda that manages more than 20 projects in the fields of health, education and youth empowerment. This major initiative, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, aims to enhance medical imaging capabilities across the country, support Rwanda’s healthcare transformation and ambitions, improve the quality of care in the region, and provide better access to its people. Good healthcare.
Philips Lumify (http://apo-opa.co/4jhPfWR) Ultrasound, which combines a transducer and an ultrasound app to bring diagnostic capabilities to compatible smartphones and tablets. The application can provide high-quality ultrasound services anywhere, including areas where advanced medical imaging technology is often limited, such as remote and underserved areas.
The portable and user-friendly design provides high-quality imaging capabilities for rapid acquisition of critical clinical data in a variety of care scenarios, such as emergency medicine, critical care, and primary care (e.g., prenatal maternal care).
“An important goal of the work of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is to bring health technologies to underserved areas of the world to help improve health outcomes,” said Joe Harb, senior program officer for innovative products at the Gates Foundation (Joe Harb) said. “By giving healthcare professionals the tools they need to deliver high-quality care, we are proud to be driving change by building a stronger, more resilient healthcare system in Rwanda.”
“The Imbuto Foundation, in collaboration with our partners, remains committed to providing healthcare professionals in Rwanda with the knowledge and skills required to effectively use Philips Lumify ultrasound devices. This initiative aims to improve healthcare services and ensure patient access across the country Better outcomes. This collaboration comes at a critical time and strengthens our efforts to deliver care and improve the quality of care for all,” said Vugayabagabo Jackson, Deputy Director General for Programs at the Imbuto Foundation.
Philips Lumify Handheld Remote Ultrasound System (http://apo-opa.co/40IdGoM) functionality also enables healthcare workers such as community midwives or nurses to collaborate remotely with experts in real-time for expert consultation at the point of care. The device can remotely transmit camera input, voice and real-time ultrasound images to healthcare professionals during patient scans. The smartphone’s front-facing camera can also display the location of the transducer alongside the ultrasound image, facilitating effective telemedicine consultation and support.
After the handover ceremony, Philips launched a comprehensive “train the trainer” course. About 20 ultrasound technicians from Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) (http://apo-opa.co/3CpPOwU) for a full day of theoretical and practical training on Lumify ultrasound equipment. The training aims to ensure that these technicians are well equipped to use Lumify ultrasound equipment effectively, thereby teaching and equipping health workers (nurses, midwives and clinical officers) in rural areas with basic ultrasound skills and integrating them into their Routine diagnostic care allows them to identify risks of complications, leading to better clinical outcomes.
In addition, the partners will continue to work closely with the Imbuto Foundation and the Ministry of Health to ensure that healthcare professionals in Rwanda have the knowledge and skills needed to make the most of Philips Lumify ultrasound equipment.
“By providing portable point-of-care ultrasound equipment and comprehensive training, we not only support the Imbuto Foundation’s vision but build on the remarkable progress Rwanda has made in improving health outcomes over the past two decades,” said Eddy Rizk, head of ultrasound operations , Philips META (Middle East, Turkey and Africa). “Together we improve the quality of life for countless people.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Royal Philips.
For more information please contact:
Radhika Choksi
marketing executive
Philips Middle East, Türkiye and Africa
Mobile: +31 62525 9000
e-mail: radhika.choksey@philips.com
Renjin Erdin
Brand and Communications Director
Philips Middle East and Türkiye
Phone: +905 49 772 13 50
e-mail: Rengin.Erdinc@philips.com
About Royal Philips:
Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, ASE: PHIA) is a leading health technology company dedicated to improving people’s health and well-being through meaningful innovations. Philips’ patient- and people-centered innovation leverages advanced technologies and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver personal health solutions for consumers and professional health solutions for healthcare providers and their hospital and home patients. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, ultrasound, image-guided therapy, monitoring, enterprise informatics and personal health. Philips had sales of €18.2 billion in 2023 and has approximately 69,300 employees providing sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at: www.Philips.com/newscenter.
about the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation:
The Gates Foundation is committed to helping all people live healthy, productive lives based on the belief that every life has equal value. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people’s health and giving them a chance to escape hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it works to ensure that all people, especially those with the least resources, have the opportunities they need to succeed in school and in life. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Mark Suzman and under the direction of Bill Gates. For more information, please visit https://apo-opa.co/42nJwIT
About the Imbuto Foundation:
In 2001, Protecting and Care for Families Against HIV/AIDS (PACFA) was established as a program under the Office of the First Lady to mobilize much-needed resources in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The initiative focuses primarily on providing a comprehensive approach to dignified living for families, including women who were intentionally infected with HIV/AIDS during the genocide against the Tutsi. Over the years, PACFA continued to develop more projects and in 2007 it was renamed the Imbuto Foundation to reflect its growth and new areas of activity, through projects in health, education, youth and economic empowerment. Imbuto literally means “seed”. A seed, carefully planted, watered, nurtured and given all the necessary support, successfully grows into a healthy plant; a person who reaches great heights and stands tall. This vision shapes the Imbuto Foundation’s current initiatives and future projects. For more information, please visit https://apo-opa.co/4jmx3ex
