adminhealthcare giant Royal Philips.
The company, which specialises in healthcare technology, electronics, lighting and consumer lifestyle products, decided to include the Zimbabwe among the 17 countries taking part in its annual Cape
Town-to-Cairo roadshow for the first time since its inception in 2010.
An investment from Royal Philips would see an improvement in the health sector which is still suffering from the after-effects of the economic decline that witnessed the withdrawal of many investors from the country.
Royal Philips chief executive Mr 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.
“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.
The company was also part of the Dutch business delegation that visited Zimbabwe last month.
Mr van Houten said Philips had entered Africa over a century ago and it had 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.”
This year’s roadshow will focus on mother and child care in support of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals four and five which are aimed at reducing child mortality rates and improving maternal health care.
The health sector in the country has been faced by a myriad of problems that include the shortage of drugs and life-saving equipment.
Government last year introduced free maternity health care to try and curb the increase of women who were opting for home births because they could not afford maternity fees at hospitals and clinics and contributing to the increase in infant mortality and neonatal mortality rates.
The implementation of the exercise, however, faced challenges due to lack of funding but eventually took off successfully in rural areas while urban mothers still have to pay to receive maternity care.
From today until Wednesday next week, Mr van Houten said his company would provide clinical training sessions for clinicians, nurses and midwives involved in maternal and child care.
He said Philips would also engage key stakeholders at a round-table discussion on mother and child care giving customers the opportunity 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 last week, is intended to increase awareness of how Philips can enhance life in Africa through its healthcare and lighting technology.
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 roadshow will cover 12 000 kilometres crossing 17 countries and 18 cities between May and September.
Online Reporter