One of the world’s highest maternal mortality ratios
In Sub-Saharan Africa, four in ten people have no access to health facilities or health personnel, and for those that do, the quality of services is often low [1]. The need for primary healthcare in Mandera County is unparalleled; the region is hard to reach, not secure, and is a dry part of North-Eastern Kenya with one of the world’s highest maternal mortality ratios, amounting to 3,795 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births [2]. At the same time, it is a border region that struggles with a growing number of refugees fleeing the Somalian civil war and in need of care. Other challenges include a lack of qualified healthcare workers, non-operability of available medical equipment, a lack of electricity, water and basic healthcare technology, plus a lack of sustainability and reliable data on the population’s health.

The newly inaugurated CLC will provide the community with modern, high quality, integrated health services for mother and child care, together with general health services and facilities for the diagnosis and treatment of communicable diseases. The technologies available in the CLC have been developed in Philips’ Africa Innovation Hub to ensure they address local needs and can function under the challenging local circumstances. By using robust low-resource medical solutions, such as automated breathing monitors to detect pneumonia (ChaRM), wind-up fetal heart rate monitors and portable tablet-based ultrasound scanners, Philips is ensuring high-quality care delivery even in the absence of electricity supplies or even batteries. At the same time, the CLC will offer the community a clean energy supply, employment opportunities, and going forward, the potential to develop commercial activities. It will also act as a secure social activity hub within reach of around 40,000 people.

"The healthcare challenges in Mandera are hugely concerning; and they are a reflection of the issues and realities faced by millions of individuals in Sub-Saharan Africa," said Jasper Westerink, CEO of Philips Africa. "Philips has been dedicated to advancing primary healthcare in Africa for many years, with a strong focus on mother and child care. Through the Philips Community Life Center platform, we have introduced a new value delivery model. Our ambition is to introduce this model throughout Africa to drastically improve access to primary care."

"The inauguration of the CLC in Mandera is an important milestone in finding new ways for significantly advancing maternal and new-born health outcomes in the 6 counties [3] in Kenya, which contribute close to 50% of all maternal deaths in the country," said Dr. Ademola Olajide, UNFPA Country Representative to Kenya. "We look forward to continue learning from its operations and seeing how it will contribute to improvement in the lives and well-being in the community."

Scalable modular self-sufficient concept
The flexibility and modularity of the CLC platform allows it to be tailored to the local healthcare requirements, in terms of the service package offered, the volume of patients, and local needs and circumstances. The CLC in Mandera will be self-sufficient and act as a vital community hub, where technology is bundled with health services. The phase one technology package includes solar power (for a reliable clean energy supply), efficient and durable indoor and outdoor LED lighting (enabling extended opening hours and providing security to patients and staff), health care equipment (to enable patient monitoring, diagnosis and triage), laboratory equipment (especially for antenatal care tests), and refrigeration units (to preventing the spoiling of vaccines). Phase two will include IT-solutions (storage of patient data) and water supply and purification (preventing waterborne diseases). In addition to improvement of the facility, Philips has also supplied Outreach Kits that allow community health volunteers to extend basic health services into the community.

"Our partnership with Philips and UNFPA comes at a time when the Mandera County has a high incidence of maternal and newborn mortality resulting from preventable causes and lack of medical facilities," said Ali Roba, Governor of Mandera County. "This co-operation is reflective of the kind of partnerships we seek to participate in with the private sector and the UN that results in uplifting the lives of our communities."

The project, which supports the drive for universal health coverage by 2030 as set out in UN Sustainable Development Goal 3, also includes a building refurbishment program, accompanied by furniture replacement and capacity strengthening for all aspects of care, including clinical, application and technical training. This will ultimately strengthen Mandera County’s community and primary healthcare system, improving both preventive and curative healthcare as well as social and economic development.

About Royal Philips
Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver integrated solutions. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care. Philips' health technology portfolio generated 2016 sales of EUR 17.4 billion and employs approximately 70,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries.

About UNFPA Kenya
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every child is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. In Kenya, UNFPA, was established in 1972 and has been expanding the possibilities for women and young people to lead healthy and productive lives.

Currently, UNFPA is implementing its 8th Government of Kenya - UNFPA Country Programme (2014-2018) in alignment with the Kenya United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF, 2014-2018) and in support of the Kenya Health Sector Strategic and Investment Plan (2014-2018) and Vision 2030. UNFPA does this in partnership with the Government, development partners, private sector and other key-stakeholders.

1. http://www.mckinsey.com/industries/healthcare-systems-and-services/our-insights/three-practical-steps-to-better-health-for-africans
2. http://kenya.unfpa.org/news/counties-highest-burden-maternal-mortality
3. Mandera, Marsabit, Migori, Wajir, Isiolo, Lamu