Philips Foundation, together with Philips (NYSE:PHG) and RAD-AID International, today announced a partnership to promote access to ultrasound.
RAD-AID, a U.S.-based non-profit, will leverage Philips’ ultrasound solutions through the collaboration. Philips’ virtual care capabilities will help to provide a scalable, remote training model to improve access to diagnostic and point-of-care ultrasound. The program will feature curriculum-based education and clinical hands-on teaching.
According to a news release, the resources will allow ultrasound experts to communicate with training program participants remotely through voice, video and text messages. They can also view the ultrasound images taken in real-time and remotely demonstrate equipment settings during guided ultrasound exams.
The multi-year, cross-continental partnership will promote access to Philips diagnostic ultrasound services in 10 countries.
“By adopting a ‘train-the-trainer’ model, first-generation healthcare workers can contribute to the education of the next generation of ultrasound practitioners,” said Daniel J. Mollura, president and CEO of RAD-AID International. “This innovative and ambitious initiative has a remarkable reach, and is both sustainable and scalable. We at RAD-AID look forward to working with the Philips Foundation in the coming years to improve the lives of millions of people through real-time ultrasound education and remote support.”
This initiative aims to reach around 50 million people across Africa, Asia, North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The countries involved include Ethiopia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Kenya, Laos, Nepal, Malawi, Tanzania, and the U.S.
During the project’s initial phase, RAD-AID International is deploying the model in the first five high-impact regional sites. Learnings from the first phase of deployment will help Philips Foundation and RAD-AID International co-create new educational strategies for second-phase deployment.
“Despite the well-known benefits of early detection and timely treatment, diagnostic imaging is not available in many rural and remote areas where resources are scarce,” said Margot Cooijmans, director of the Philips Foundation. “Through this collaboration with RAD-AID International, who provide a high quality of service delivery, we can offer equipment and enable remote training in ten underserved areas, with a clear focus on increasing the number of patients who benefit from remote access to professional radiologists. Enhancing technology to improve healthcare for underserved populations defines this collaboration and is at the heart of our mission.”