Philips Introduces Innovative Ultra-Mobile Ultrasound System ‘VISIQ’ In Ghana To Bring High Quality, Affordable Healthcare To A Wide Range…


· Tablet-sized miniaturized ultrasound system enables incredible portability; VISIQ is a clinical innovation that addresses local needs.

· The fifth consecutive Cairo to Cape Town roadshow continues focus on mother and child care

Accra, Ghana – Royal Philips (AEX: PHIA, NYSE: PHG) today unveiled its new ultra-mobile ultrasound system VISIQ to the Ghanaian market during the Accra leg of its annual pan-African Cairo to Cape Town Roadshow. Currently in its fifth consecutive year, the roadshow enables Philips to engage in dialogue with customers, governments, NGOs and media to ascertain a better understanding of each country’s unique requirements and to develop relevant technology to support their needs on maternal and infant care.

The size of a tablet, the VISIQ is the first ultra-mobile system from Philips. It provides high quality images for expectant mothers wherever care is taking place. VISIQ exemplifies Philips commitment to more cost effective, simplified, patient-focused health care innovations with high clinical performance.

By launching this new system in Ghana, Philips continues to demonstrate its dedicated support to the Ghanaian Ministry of Health in its mission to reduce child mortality rates, improve maternal health, meet the UN Millennium Development Goals 4 & 5 and revitalize Ghana’s healthcare infrastructure.

Maternal screening allows for early detection of complications

According to the Philips Fabric of Africa trends report, women in Africa are at significant risk of premature death, with particular high mortality rates recorded in pregnancy.Women in semi-urban and rural areas across Ghana (in fact all of Africa) often die due to preventable complications during child birth as they have no access to ultrasound screenings to detect critical conditions. Many of these deaths can be diagnosed with basic imaging technology.

One of the benefits of VISIQ is that it is portable and easy to use so it’s available for expectant mothers in remote areas who wouldn’t otherwise have access to this type of innovative technology. ‘It makes me proud to see how Philips’ cost-effective, easy to operate ultrasound systems can make a real difference in Africa. It shows that meaningful innovations can contribute to saving people’s lives,’ says Peter van de Ven, Vice President & General Manager, Philips Healthcare Africa. ‘Improving access to healthcare is high on the Philips agenda in Africa and we are very eager to contribute to the goals of the Ghanaian government to improve access to quality care for all Ghanaians in order to achieve a healthier national population. VISIQ allows clinicians to provide ultrasound in a variety of clinical environments, offering soon-to-be parents the comfort of having regular pre-natal check-ups.’

Designed for the needs of the Ghanaian market
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), diagnostic imaging is crucial in healthcare. Many countries in the developing world cannot afford to purchase expensive high technology imaging equipment despite the urgent need to use imaging resources in these countries.[1] ‘There is a growing global focus on cost effective systems, smaller footprints and imaging equipment which is both easier to operate but has improved clinical functionality. The Philips VISIQ has been specifically designed with this in mind and embodies Philips’ image quality legacy, driving innovation and efficiency in ultrasound imaging. VISIQ provides high quality images for quick and reliable diagnostic decision making,’ summarizes, Peter van de Ven.

VISIQ’s unique combination of mobility, ease of use and image quality, will enable clinicians to perform ultrasound examinations across a variety of clinical settings. Small outpatient clinics or community centers can carry out comprehensive obstetric and abdominal scans themselves rather than referring patients to regional ultrasound centers. This enables fast diagnosis and treatment. Approximately ten times smaller than a traditional ultrasound machine and with reduced energy consumption, VISIQ can also be used in community care programs in remote rural areas for screening, triage and fetal well-being scans, all of which helps to address the critical issue of maternal and infant care in Ghana.

The fifth pan-African Cairo to Cape Town roadshow
Accra is the sixth stop on Philips’ annual flagship Cairo to Cape Town Roadshow (from 14th April to 3rd September 2014) which focuses on two key challenges facing Africa today – the need for energy-efficient lighting and the revitalization of African healthcare infrastructure. Philips remains consistently committed to reducing child mortality and improving maternal health, linked to the current UN Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5 (MDGs). In contribution to the Post-2015 Development Agenda, Philips calls for improving universal access to healthcare and reducing the double-disease burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) as additions to the current MDGs. The Roadshow will make its way across seven countries and ten cities in Africa. The next stop will be in Johannesburg, South Africa on the 27th of August.

For more information please follow the Cairo to Cape Town roadshow on:

www.philips.com/africaroadshow
Infographic
http://www.philipsafricaroadshow.com/2014-roadshow/infographic/

For further information, please contact:
Radhika Choksey

Philips Group Communications – Africa

Tel: +31 62525 9000

E-mail: [email protected]

About Royal Philips
Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving people’s lives through meaningful innovation in the areas of Healthcare, Consumer Lifestyle and Lighting. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips posted 2013 sales of EUR 23.3 billion and employs approximately 112,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. The company is a leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as male shaving and grooming and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.

2014-07-15 164548

2014-07-15 164634

2014-07-15 164700

2014-07-15 164733

2014-07-15 164756

2014-07-15 164822

2014-07-15 164833

2014-07-15 164848

2014-07-15 164904

2014-07-15 164928

2014-07-15 164941

2014-07-15 164950

2014-07-15 165002
Comments:
This article has 0 comment, leave your comment.