Northern Territory joins forces with Philips and Swisstec Analytics for development of healthcare solutions to support remote and regional communities
The partnership aims to support the creation of strong and resilient communities with improved access to health services and advance Philips’ mission to improve the lives of 2.5 billion people by 2030, including 400 million people in underserved communities.
- June 9, 2021
- 3 minute read
Darwin, Australia – Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, together with Swisstec Analytics, a leading Australian healthcare IT company, and the Northern Territory Government, yesterday signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) as a first step towards a strategic partnership to design and produce Deployable Healthcare Modules that that will leverage advanced manufacturing capabilities, create jobs and education opportunities, and increase access to health services for remote and regional communities in northern Australia and South East Asia. This partnership also seeks to advance Philips’ mission to improve the lives of 2.5 billion people by 2030, including 400 million people in underserved communities.
These rapid built health modules will offer primary care services with the initial aim to service the needs of remote communities across northern Australia and South East Asia. Following the delivery of an operational model that has been tested and evaluated in Australia, these modules could be manufactured and deployed out to Darwin’s Near North neighbors in Asia. This would leverage the Territory’s strategic geographic location as a gateway hub into the Indo-Pacific region.
The Northern Territory will act as the design hub, test bed and training base for the joint DHM project, commencing in 2021. With a strong track record in collaboratively driving change and delivering meaningful innovation to improve people’s lives throughout the world, Philips will lead the project design in addition to development of training courses. Swisstec will support with coordination throughout the length of the project and carry out the management function for the Deployable Healthcare Module once it is deployed.
“We are delighted by the energy surrounding this project and the potential it has to deliver enduring change to the care economy for the Northern Territory, Australia and beyond.” said Costar Pouzoulis, Swisstec Analytics Chief Executive Officer.
Better care for underserved communities
Providing health care to those who live in remote locations is often costly and challenging to resource. The Territory understands the challenges in delivering primary health services to remote and regional communities and is well placed to be the hub for bringing technology solutions to address this challenge.
The partnership aims to support the creation of strong and resilient communities with improved access to health services, while at the same time meeting core principles of creating jobs and growing the economy.
Specifically, the partnership encompasses three main areas:
- Enabling Technology: To test and evaluate existing technologies, in a ruggedized, flexibly configured, safe, deployable and innovative format, purpose-built for Northern Australia and, eventually, the South East Asian, Indochina, and South West Pacific regions;
- Training: To position Darwin as the hub for Philips’ technology delivery across the Near North, as well as the training of all Australian and regional technicians who work on Philips diagnostic equipment – supporting Darwin’s regional soft diplomacy and economic engagement objectives; and
- Manufacturing: To develop deployable modules that can be rolled out across the Near North, bringing advanced manufacturing opportunities to the Northern Territory and creating jobs in adjacent sectors such as learning, teaching and ongoing CPD.
The DHM project aligns with the recommendations of the Territory Economic Reconstruction Commission (TERC) Report, released in November 2020, which identified advanced manufacturing as an industry the Northern Territory Government should aim to foster and grow.
“Collaborations with global companies like Philips and their partner Swisstec can lead to improved health outcomes and advanced manufacturing has been identified as a key driver of our economic comeback. We’re pleased they recognise the Territory’s potential and we’re keen to explore how their global expertise will help unlock social and economic opportunities”, said Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner.
Partnering to improve people’s health and well-being
“We strongly believe that meaningful and sustainable solutions are built on a strong foundation of partnerships within an ecosystem of collaboration, which is why we’re proud to partner with the Northern Territory Government and Swisstec to explore innovative solutions to expand access to quality healthcare” said Matt Moran, Managing Director of Philips Australia and New Zealand. “With our global reach, deep insights and innovative strength, we are uniquely positioned to drive a digital health solutions in support of the Territory’s broader social and economic goals”.
Philips strives to make the world healthier and more sustainable through innovation. Its mission is to improve the lives of 2.5 billion people a year by 2030. In this regard, Philips believes that the United Nations Social Development Goals 3, 12, 13 and 17 are critical to bettering the health and sustainability of the planet and its people and this in an integral part of the company’s strategy. This has led Philips to identify a clear space - ‘Access to care for the underserved’ - to broaden its reach via transformative innovation efforts targeting 400 million people in low resource settings.
In India, Philips worked with local partners to design and implement a mobile ICU solution. Locally manufactured by Philips in India, Masina Heart Institute uses this pre-fabricated transportable ICU solution as a separate Advanced Cardiac Care Unit to make heart procedures feasible while simultaneously providing care for COVID-19 patients.
In the US, Philips partners with the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), The American Legion, and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) to provide the equipment for virtual clinics within VFW and American Legion posts throughout the United States. The project allows US veterans to conduct virtual appointments with their VA providers without having to travel to a distant VA regional medical facility or outpatient clinic.
More information on Philips’ Access to Care programs can be found here.
