Philips has unveiled its new ultra-mobile ultrasound system VISIQ to the Kenyan market during the Nairobi leg of its annual pan-African Cairo to Cape Town Roadshow.
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 Kenya, Philips continues to demonstrate
its dedicated support to the Kenyan Ministry of Health in its mission to
reduce child mortality rates, improve maternal health, meet the UN
Millennium Development Goals 4 & 5 and revitalize Kenya’s health
infrastructure as part of Kenya’s Vision2030.
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 Kenya (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 Vision2030 goals of the Kenyan
government to improve access to quality care for all Kenyans. 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 Kenyan 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 Kenya.
Maternity screening camp to enable early detection of complications
As
per previous years, Philips is organizing a maternity screening camp
during the Cairo to Cape Town roadshow jointly with African Medical and
Research Foundation (AMREF) in Kibera; the largest informal settlement in Nairobi. For a majority
of the expectant mothers in this community, this screening camp will be
their first ever opportunity to have a scan. This will ensure that any
complications are detected in advance of labour. Philips will be
providing ultrasound equipment, including the VISIQ system and clinical
specialists for the camp, whereas AMREF, through its referral programme
with the local public hospitals, will take care of any complications
detected during the screening.
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