MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines is quickly gaining ground in its bid to becoming a major player in the region’s healthcare industry. With world- class medical professionals, competitive costs, and the latest in diagnostic and monitoring systems, the country is the destination of choice for a growing number of patients seeking cutting-edge medical procedures.
As a global company of leading businesses that develops meaningful innovations to improve peoples’ health and well-being, Philips is contributing its share. Although traditionally known as the world’s dominant lighting manufacturer that provides 25 percent of lamps and 33 percent of automotive lighting, the brand is increasingly associated with innovative medical systems. In the Philippines, for example, the Philips 256-slice computed axial technology (CT) scanner in St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City is the most advanced model available worldwide. And thus, more than just being known as the lighting company that espouses energy efficiency through LED lighting, Philips systems contribute to the improved well-being and health of its consumers by providing the best in healthcare equipment.
“In recent years, Philips changed its portfolio to emphasize health and well-being, in keeping with prospective changes in our market and the lifestyles of our consumers,” says Philips Electronics CEO Rico Gonzales. Studies have shown disproportionately aging populations especially in Western countries. This means that by 2040, an estimated 25 percent of the working population would need to work in the health sector to provide today’s level of care, mainly for the elderly population who are expected to experience age-related debilities. Efficient, accurate, and easy-to-use equipment should make the task easier.
Apart from patient monitoring and imaging systems, Philips develops clinical care systems and home healthcare solutions. It is the global market leader in automated external defibrillators, widely used by emergency response providers in the United States.
A recent forum in Manila highlighted the risks associated with sleep apnea or the cessation of breathing during sleep, and the benefits of keeping the airways open using a Philips Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine. The easy-to-use device is simple, but has proven to dramatically improve quality of life. Sleep apnea has been shown to increase the incidence of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes as well as mental illnesses like clinical depression, psychosis, and bipolar disorder. Memory impairment, headaches, learning disabilities, and weakening of the immune system may occur while altered energy metabolism increases the risk for developing obesity and diabetes due to poor sleep. The effects of sleep deprivation may be more immediate and cause traffic and work-related accidents.
In addition, Philips is a leader in the field of consumer lifestyle. Its revolutionary electric razors and power toothbrushes top similar products on the market. In the mother and childcare sector, Philips makes the Avent feeding bottles that have been clinically proven to reduce colic.
“Philips makes sure that its products and services contribute to improving quality of life,” says Rico Gonzales. “Our brand promise of sense and sensibility aims to empower consumers towards healthier life choices and better life experiences.”
But sense and simplicity come with a price. Gonzales reveals that the company invests $2.4 billion or P114 billion for research and development — money well spent as the conveniences allow people to enjoy more healthy and meaningful lives.