The Philips Foundation goes beyond good works to deliver true value at a time of crisis

To say that the COVID-19 pandemic has drastically disrupted our lives would be putting it mildly. There is a sharper focus on what people view as being important in life. A reassessment of deep-seated values and by extension, what we perceive to be valuable to the wider world. Health, without question. The ability to be outdoors, most certainly. The company of loved ones, perhaps more than we realised. These are things that matter to many of us, on a deeply personal level.  

When we have the chance to think beyond our immediate lives, there are other things that also matter. An ability to give back. An opportunity to help others. The chance to look after people we may not even know, in the same way family and friends have looked after us. It is why so many of us dug deep to help Captain Tom Moore raise more than ￡33m for the NHS and also why NHS Charities Together overall has raised nearly ￡100m in six weeks to support NHS staff, volunteers and their patients through the COVID-19 appeal.

It’s easy to talk about taking things for granted, but this experience has brought it home to me at a profound level. It has also reaffirmed my belief that people living in Britain fundamentally want to help make life better for others when they can.

I am also extremely proud of the many actions taken by Philips. The commitment of our employees, the contributions Philips has made globally, as well as here in the UK and also the dedication of the Philips Foundation which works tirelessly to improve the lives of underprivileged and underserved communities. I have seen first-hand through our Clean Air for Schools Programme the substantial difference the initiatives they fund can make to vulnerable stakeholders. It is why being their UKI ambassador is so rewarding.

In the global fight against COVID-19, the value of the Philips Foundation has been indisputable. A vast array of resources, skills and innovative technologies have been and continue to be invested by the Philips Foundation in support of resolving the healthcare emergency of our lifetime. These actions have made an important difference at this crucial time.

For example, to enable early detection of COVID-19 outbreaks in Africa, the Foundation contributed to the establishment of the Virus Outbreak Data Network, which facilitates the findability, accessibility, interoperability and reuse of crucial data across the continent.

To alleviate overburdened hospitals in European countries most impacted by COVID-19, the Foundation procured and put at disposal five temporary 20-bed mobile hospital units, while it also donated health equipment and supplies to an emergency hospital in Wuhan, at the outbreak of the pandemic. 

From providing welfare relief to rural populations in India and helping a local humanitarian organisation in Romania, to supporting marginalised groups in the United States and providing a loan to the Refugee Company in Amsterdam, the Foundation is striving to provide access to critical care on a global basis. 

No matter what you do or where you work at Philips, these few examples help demonstrate the immense pride we feel in supporting the fight against COVID-19. The Philips Foundation’s contributions – in addition to what we as an organisation can deliver as a leading health technology provider – inspires our teams to come to work every day to genuinely make a difference.

If you’d like to learn more about the Philips Foundation, click here: https://www.philips-foundation.com/a-w/covid-19-response.