From: News Release – African Press Organization (APO)
PRESS RELEASE
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Philips and AMREF announce strategic partnership to improve healthcare in Africa
NAIROBI, Kenya, February 6, 2014/ — Royal Philips (http://www.philips.com) (AEX: PHI, NYSE: PHG) and the African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) (http://www.amref.org) announced that they will work closely together in an innovative shared-value partnership model designed to bring about a structural improvement in the healthcare infrastructure and healthcare provision on the African continent. This long-term strategic partnership aims to support AMREF in achieving its social goals and will help Philips in its ambition to improve the lives of people in Africa, while at the same time realizing growth across the fast-evolving African healthcare market.
Logo Philips: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/philips-1.jpg
Logo AMREF: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/amref.jpg
This partnership comes at a time when most countries in Africa continue to contend with existing and emerging healthcare challenges: a high incidence of infant and maternal mortality (from largely preventable causes), a sharp increase in the number of people suffering from non-communicable diseases (cancer, diabetes and heart disease); inadequately equipped medical facilities; and inadequately trained clinical staff. For example, a woman in sub-Saharan Africa is a hundred times more likely to die of a preventable complication related to pregnancy or childbirth than a woman in Western countries (1).
In order to compliment local government efforts in tackling these and other problems, AMREF and Philips will connect their networks and bring to market new education and training programs designed specifically for healthcare professionals in Africa. In close cooperation with local stakeholders, both parties will strive to develop and implement large-scale projects to improve healthcare infrastructure and make healthcare more accessible to the local population.
One of several African organizations with strong educational programs, AMREF has been active in Africa for over 55 years and is deeply rooted in rural areas and hospitals. Philips has been active in Africa for over 100 years and, as a leading company in the field of healthcare innovations, has extensive expertise in healthcare system revitalization projects, medical technology, healthcare services and the training of healthcare professionals.