Philips roadshow stops over in Zimbabwe for first time

Amsterdam-based Royal Philips will for the first time be bringing its annual Cape Town-to-Cairo roadshow to Zimbabwe next week.

The company, which is a global leader in healthcare technology and energy efficient lighting solutions and lighting applications, has been conducting a pan-African Cape Town to Cairo roadshow since 2010.  

This will be the first time Philips is including Zimbabwe among the 17 countries that it is taking its roadshow to, an indication of the new interest it has in Zimbabwe as an investment destination and a market for its healthcare technology.

The company was part of the Dutch business delegation that visited Zimbabwe last month.

This year's roadshow focuses on mother and child care, in support of the United Nation's Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5, which are aimed at reducing child mortality rates and improving maternal health.

From Monday until Wednesday (20th to 22nd May) next week, Philips will provide clinical training sessions for clinicians, nurses and midwives involved in maternal and child care.

On Monday there will be a workshop on ultrasound. On Tuesday there will be one on maternal and foetal heart rate monitoring and obstetric manoeuvres for obstructed labour. On Wednesday there will be a workshop on infant warming, newborn positioning and jaundice detection.

On Thursday, 23rd May, Philips will engage with key stakeholders at a roundtable discussion on mother and child care. There will an opportunity for customers and potential customers to see demonstrations of some of the key healthcare equipment that Philips will be introducing during the roadshow.

The roadshow, which began in Cape Town on Tuesday this week, is intended to increase awareness of how Philips can enhance life in Africa through its healthcare and lighting technology.

"With an Africa-relevant product portfolio and a strong historical presence on the continent, Philips is committed to significantly expanding its business footprint in Africa in coming years," a Philips spokesperson said, adding that the company felt the time was ripe for investment in Zimbabwe.

Royal Philips chief executive Frans van Houten, who was co-chair of the World Economic Forum on Africa, which took place in Cape Town last week, said Philips was well positioned to increase its presence in Africa.

"Philips entered Africa over a century ago. We have a comprehensive understanding of the complexities of the African market as well as the key challenges facing Africa today.

"We are well positioned to increase our presence on the continent by developing local talent and organisations, increasing our footprint and introducing innovative products and solutions which are relevant for the local needs," he said.

Philips provides a broad range of ultrasound monitoring, clinical informatics and patient care solutions needed to care for mothers and children from pregnancy, labour and delivery to postnatal, neonatal and paediatric care and the transition home.

It helps improve standards of care through clinical education and training programmes for health care professionals and large-scale health care revitalisation projects.

"The need for energy-efficient lighting, mother and child care and the revitalisation of African health care infrastructure are key pillars along which we develop meaningful innovations for our African customers," commented Philips Africa senior vice-president and chief executive J.J. van Dongen.

"The Cape Town-to-Cairo roadshow is an important vehicle in our approach to enhance our understanding of local needs and growing the market," he said.

The roadshow will cover 12 000 kms crossing 17 countries and 18 cities between May and September.