NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Thursday, October 20, 2016

Approximately 1 billion people worldwide lack access to primary health care facilities. The situation is particularly severe in sub-Saharan Africa, in which an Afrobarometer survey of 36 countries found that approximately half the population living in rural areas lacked access to such facilities. Almost half of those questioned also said that they, or a family member, had gone without medicine or medical care in at least one year prior to the survey.

To help address these issues, technology giant Philips recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the United Nations Office for Project Services in Ethiopia and Sudan to improve primary health care outcomes resulting from poor facilities, and a lack of equipment and human resources, through the construction of primary health care facilities called “Community Life Centers.”

Devex caught up with Philips’ Head of Research in Africa Bahaa Eddine Sarroukh to learn more about Philips’ strategies for improving health access in Africa — from their role in creating effective partnerships and effective community engagement strategies, to their take on emerging opportunities for private sector players. Here are some highlights from the conversation.