The health sector in Kenya is set to experience a boost as Philips has unveiled its ultra-mobile ultrasound system VISIQ in the Kenyan market. This was done during the Nairobi leg of its annual pan-African Cairo to Cape Town Roadshow. The roadshow which is currently in its fifth consecutive year, enables Philips to engage in dialogue with customers, governments, NGOs and media to get 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. It is battery powered, allowing it to be used in places with limited access to electricity and healthcare facilities.
“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 revitalise Kenya’s health infrastructure as part of Kenya’s Vision 2030,†said JJ van Dongen, senior vice president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Philips Africa.
VISIQ’s combination of mobility, ease of use and image quality will enable clinicians to perform ultrasound examinations across a variety of clinical settings, enabling small outpatient clinics or community centres to carry out comprehensive obstetric and abdominal scans themselves rather than referring patients to regional ultrasound centres.
Peter van de Ven, vice president and general manager of Philips Healthcare Africa, said: “Improving access to healthcare is high on the Philips agenda in Africa and we are very eager to contribute to the Vision 2030 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.â€