Philips Foundation and Philips provide critically needed medical equipment in Türkiye and Syria
- Apr 13, 2023
- 4 minute read
At a glance
Philips Foundation, along with Philips and other local partners, stepped in to provide critical medical equipment to support the affected regions.
For Türkiye, provisions included 5 mobile ultrasound systems with 3 probes each, 100 patient monitors, and around 20,000 mother and childcare products, which were requested to address critical healthcare needs in heavily impacted regions.
In Syria, medical equipment has been distributed to various local hospitals.
Amsterdam, the Netherlands – Following the devastation caused by the magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 earthquakes that struck Türkiye and Syria on 6 February 2023, the governments of both countries raised an international appeal for help as providing uninterrupted access to healthcare services in the region was a vital priority.
Philips Foundation, in collaboration with Philips, and local partners, has been working to bring medical equipment to the regions most impacted by the earthquakes. The distribution of medical equipment is a critical step towards rebuilding healthcare services and restoring access to quality healthcare for affected communities.
In response to the urgent need communicated by doctors in the field for screening and monitoring equipment, Philips Foundation organized the provision of 5 mobile ultrasound units with 3 probes each to the Emergency Medicine Association of Türkiye. These portable handheld ultrasound systems bring diagnostic capability to any compatible smartphone or handheld device and are the perfect tool to help in effectively triage, evaluate, and treat both medical and trauma patients.
On behalf of us all at Philips and the Philips Foundation, I want to commit our ongoing support to the people of Türkiye and Syria during this time of deep emotional pain and suffering as they begin to take stock and rebuild.
Vincenzo Ventricelli
“Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by the devastating earthquakes that hit Türkiye and Syria. It is deeply saddening to see both the huge loss of life and the immense damage they have caused,” says Vincenzo Ventricelli, Market Leader of Philips Middle East, Türkiye & Africa. “On behalf of us all at Philips and the Philips Foundation, I want to commit our ongoing support to the people of Türkiye and Syria during this time of deep emotional pain and suffering as they begin to take stock and rebuild.”
A further consignment of 100 patient monitors will be sent to the hospitals in the affected region in Türkiye, which will play a crucial role in providing much-needed clinical decision-support tools to identify and alert caregivers as they treat patients who have survived the earthquake.
The Philips AVENT team in Türkiye also delivered around 20,000 mother and childcare products for the care of newborns and infants.
Philips Foundation is also supporting medical relief efforts in the earthquake-impacted region of Northern Syria, by providing medical equipment to various local hospitals, supporting health workers with the crucial tools needed to provide care to those in need.
Philips Foundation also set up an emergency fundraiser, and Philips colleagues have been generously making donations to support the people in Türkiye and Syria. Philips will match all employee donations, and the money raised will go towards further supporting healthcare needs in both countries.
“At Philips Foundation, we feel for the people whose lives are so deeply affected by the earthquakes in Syria and Türkiye. We wanted to deliver immediate medical assistance,” states Margot Cooijmans, Director, Philips Foundation. “By focusing on providing healthcare equipment that helps detect fractures and can monitor critical patients, we want to support the humanitarian organizations working in the area with an understanding of the exact critical needs on the ground.”
