• Establishment of the SDG Partnership Platform in Kenya aims to accelerate primary healthcare transformation in support of universal health coverage
• Collaboration and innovation partnership to ensure a financially sustainable healthcare system and advance African Healthcare Agenda

Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and Durban, South Africa – Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG; AEX: PHIA) today announced its full support for a new Government of Kenya and United Nations (UN) initiative aimed at strengthening primary and community based healthcare in Africa. The leading health technology company is coming on board as the first private sector partner to establish an SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) Partnership Platform in Kenya for accelerating primary healthcare transformation in support of universal health coverage.

This unique platform will bring together executive leadership from government, development partners, private sector organizations and civil society to investigate opportunities for accelerating universal access to primary healthcare services in Kenya. Special focus will be given to addressing gaps in human resources, healthcare financing, essential medicines, medical supplies, health information, and the use of technology.

“The Government of Kenya is committed to accelerate progress towards universal health coverage. We are open to fostering partnerships that are dynamic and mutually beneficial and we foresee great potential in the SDG partnership platform,” said Hon. Dr. Cleopa Mailu, Cabinet Secretary for Health, Kenya.

Philips will immediately provide support to the platform to start work on establishing a common fact-base on primary healthcare by assessing current and future healthcare needs, so that platform members can jointly identify, design and implement transformative initiatives in pursuit of the platform’s ambitions. Philips will leverage its in-depth clinical insights, global innovation capabilities, and its experience to sustainably deliver improved healthcare through partnership with national and county level stakeholders. In addition and to ensure continuity, Philips has also committed support for two years to the establishment of the SDG Healthcare Platform Secretariat.

“Primary healthcare is a key enabler to providing access to quality healthcare to all people at all ages but not at all self-evident in many regions,” said Ronald de Jong, Executive Vice President and Member of the Executive Committee of Royal Philips. “As a leading player in the healthcare technology sector we are determined to address this pressing issue. By teaming up with local governments and development partners we can enable widespread access to healthcare and improve the lives of many. The new SDG Partnership Platform underpins our collective responsibility and ambition and enables a catalyst for impactful healthcare innovation.”

“The constitution of Kenya guarantees the rights to health as contained under article 43. The Council of Governors of Kenya is looking forward to closely collaborating with the SDG Partnership Platform to help accelerate universal access to primary healthcare in Kenya's 47 counties through unlocking transformative public-private partnership investments," said Jacqueline Mogeni, CEO, Council of Governors, Kenya.

“We are excited about this ambitious new Partnership Platform. Everyone has a role to play in the delivery of the SDGs and partnering with responsible, innovative businesses such as Philips in that process raises our chances of becoming the first generation to end poverty,” added Siddharth Chatterjee, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative to Kenya.

Philips believes that strengthening local healthcare systems is central to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages). Philips has been dedicated to advancing primary healthcare in Africa for many years, with a strong focus on Mother and Child Care. An example is the opening of Community Life Centers in Kenya and Congo. These centers offer an integrated range of health services in local communities and help improve access to primary healthcare.

More information on how Philips is strengthening primary care and enabling community development can be found in this press backgrounder. (http://www.philips.com/c-dam/corporate/newscenter/global/standard/resources/healthcare/2017/african-healthcare/Press-Backgrounder-Strengthening-Primary-Care-and-Enabling-Community-Development.pdf)