Philips to upgrade Indian healthcare

Philips Medical Systems of Best, the Netherlands, is participating in a unique project to upgrade healthcare technology in the state of Gujarat, India. The company will take the lead in improving healthcare in Gujarat in four areas identified by the state's government: mother and child health, trauma care, kidney diseases, and ophthalmologic diseases.

Philips will lead a consortium of over 36 Indian and non-Indian healthcare vendors, and will assume responsibility for upgrading and maintaining medical facilities. Philips will modernize 65 facilities throughout Gujarat, including community health centers, all district hospitals, and all teaching hospitals. The company will also develop six mobile ophthalmology units for cataract surgeries.

The project is worth nearly $49 million and is being funded by the Indian federal government through a combination of loans and grants provided by Dutch banks and the Dutch government. The project is part of the Development-Related Export Transactions Program, a Dutch program to assist developing countries and promote Dutch exports.