A decade of impact in Asia Pacific and Japan: advancing heart health, addressing local health issues, and tackling medical challenges through innovation

Tackling local health challenges in Japan

In its early years, Philips Foundation focused on short-term projects and aid. For example, in Japan, it raised awareness around often-neglected health conditions such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), sleep apnoea, and poor oral health by organizing symposia targeted to local needs in different regions of the country. 

Targeting four regions—Sapporo, Yamanashi, Sendai, and Okinawa—the symposia were tailored to address local challenges. For instance, in Yamanashi, discussions focused on the effects of sedentary lifestyles on muscle health, while other regions explored the impact of untreated sleep disorders or inadequate oral hygiene. These events were developed in collaboration with local governments, healthcare experts, and academic institutions, ensuring they resonated with regional needs. 

Tackling the high burden of heart disease in Asia

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a life-threatening but preventable heart condition. In APAC, its prevalence and mortality rates are particularly significant, with the Philippines and Indonesia among the higher-burden countries. 

As part of a partnership with the World Heart Federation (WHF), a Philips project is targeting a combination of challenges – low disease awareness, lack of healthcare access and treatment, inadequate diagnosis, and inadequate medical training – to drive a comprehensive approach to alleviating the burden of RHD. This includes training healthcare workers at primary care facilities on POCUS and RHD care pathways. 

For example, 6,000 children are being screened for RHD using Philips' handheld point-of-care ultrasound device (POCUS). POCUS devices are more sensitive in diagnosing RHD than traditional cardiac screening with a stethoscope which is used in most resource-stretched settings where ultrasound is not available at primary care sites. Teachers are also being educated on RHD, leading to greater disease awareness and an increased likelihood that children and young adults seek early diagnosis and treatment.

The project's innovative decentralized model of RHD care allows children diagnosed with RHD to receive follow-up treatment within their local community.

This approach ensures that the treatment model is sustainable and respects existing healthcare infrastructure. The project has also gained the support and cooperation of the Philippines Ministry of Health, which ensures alignment with the existing healthcare system, further contributing to its long-term sustainability.

"The partnership showcases a strong commitment to education and training of healthcare workers, ensuring that they are equipped with cutting-edge technology for RHD detection," says Professor Liesl Zuhlke, World Heart Federation Board Member. "Our goal is to set a precedent for the Asia-Pacific region and the world."

Following success in the Philippines, Philips Foundation will partner with the Indonesian Heart Foundation (IHF) to train healthcare workers to screen 7,500 children for RHD using Philips POCUS and the RHD clinical pathways for diagnosis and treatment. Approximately 70 local government health facilities, each serving a population of approximately 30,000, will have at least one healthcare worker trained in diagnosis management and referral pathways.

“Philips’ expertise and innovation in healthcare technology plays a key role in meaningful partnerships like this which improves access to care and the health outcomes of millions of people in Japan and around Asia-Pacific. The skills and commitment of Philips employees in developing and delivering our innovation to healthcare providers and patients are positively impacting lives, enabling more people to receive the care they need, ” said Jasper Westerink, President Director of Philips Japan and Acting Managing Director of Philips APAC.