Royal Philips, in partnership with the World Bank and Ukraine's Ministry of Health, has launched an initiative aimed at modernising cardiovascular and stroke care across Ukraine.
The programme responds to the urgent need for enhanced stroke treatment facilities, which has been intensified by the ongoing conflict and the resulting displacement of populations.
Philips chief medical officer Carla Goulart Peron said: “Every year, approximately 140,000 Ukrainians experience a stroke, with many facing disability or death due to delayed treatment.
“This collaboration ensures patients in underserved regions gain access to life-saving technologies.”
The initiative focuses on delivering advanced image-guided therapy systems to key Ukrainian regions, including Sumy, Kharkiv, Lviv, Dnipro, Zaporizhzha, and Odesa.
Philips is providing 25 Azurion interventional suites, designed to support minimally invasive procedures that can potentially reverse the effects of strokes, such as thrombectomies.
These systems are equipped with software tools and technologies that help speed up procedures and improve the coordination of care.
The result is a more streamlined care pathway, which is critical in reducing treatment delays and enhancing patient outcomes.
To date, 19 Azurion systems have been installed, enabling Ukrainian physicians to deliver optimised care to stroke patients.
Philips has collaborated with AFS Medizintechnik to ensure the launch of these systems across the country.
In addition to providing technology, the programme includes clinical training for physicians.
Hands-on education and training will take place in Poland, ensuring that the physicians are equipped with the latest expertise in stroke treatment and can deliver consistent quality care.
Philips' commitment to improving stroke care globally is evidenced by its ongoing partnership with the World Stroke Organization, which began in 2023.
The company’s role in the WSO Advocacy Coalition connects it to a global network that is dedicated to influencing healthcare policy, raising public awareness, and advocating for increased investment in stroke care infrastructure.
