Mar 07, 2019

Pregnant women unite at the “Beyond Zero Marathon” to shine the spotlight on preventable maternal and infant deaths in Kenya.

Kenya has one of the highest maternal and child mortality rates in the world, with 510 maternal deaths per 100 000 live births and 49 child deaths per 1,000 live births.
Philips Kenya will collaborate with Beyond Zero, the initiative established by Her Excellency Margaret Kenyatta to introduce a new segment to the Beyond Zero Half Marathon race in the form of a 2km pregnancy solidarity and awareness walk, and screen 350 pregnant women, to detect preventable pregnancy related complications.
The Philips Lumify Pregnancy Walk aims to take the conversation and motivation of the Beyond Zero initiative a step further by getting the lives it sets out to save involved – not only in the walk, but also in the healthy development of their babies.

Nairobi, Kenya – On the occasion of the fourth edition of the Beyond Zero Half Marathon in Nairobi this Sunday (10 March 2019), Philips Kenya is introducing a new segment to the established race – the Philips Lumify Pregnancy 2km Walk. This addition will be introduced in support of the ambition of the Beyond Zero initiative, and its shared goal to eliminate preventable maternal and infant deaths.

Alongside the half marathon geared at raising funds in support of Beyond Zero, 350 women in their first and second trimesters will participate in the inaugural Philips Lumify Pregnancy 2km Walk.

The Philips Lumify Pregnancy Walk aims to take the conversation and motivation of the Beyond Zero initiative a step further by getting the lives it sets out to save involved – not only in the walk, but also in the healthy development of their babies.

The Philips Lumify ultrasound will be used to carry out screenings at the fun walk, by bringing technology that will otherwise only be available at formal hospitals and clinics to the participants. This means that the mothers-to-be will be able to see high-quality images of their unborn babies on a smartphone, thanks to the mobile app and portable ultrasound. For most of the expectant mothers, this screening will be their first ever opportunity to have an ultrasound scan.

As a health technology company dedicated to creating the future of healthcare, we are driven to help solve the world’s toughest clinical challenges through meaningful innovation. Our new app-based ultra-mobile, ultrasound system - Lumify was launched for the first time in Africa and used at the Beyond Zero Medical Safari in September 2018. These pre-natal screenings ensured that major complications could be detected in advance of labour allowing for the best chance for early intervention to save the lives of Kenya’s most vulnerable; we are pleased to bring this same power to the women participating here in Nairobi.

Jasper Westerink

CEO, Philips Africa

Although many deaths can be prevented with basic imaging technology, women across Africa often die due to avoidable complications during child birth, as they have no access to healthcare technologies to detect critical conditions. This highlights the importance of initiatives such as Beyond Zero and the Philips Lumify Pregnancy 2km Walk aimed at educating women about healthy pregnancy and childbirth, and give them access to technology that can potentially save their own lives and the lives of their babies.

“It is such an honour to share the route and this journey with so many strong women,” says Sarah Hassan, media personality-TV presenter, actress, producer. “I have been fortunate enough to have had access to pre-natal screenings throughout my pregnancy, but I am well aware that many women across our country do not have the same access. It is fantastic to see leaders in healthcare – like Philips - come together to change the future for more mothers-to-be and their babies by providing them access to maternal screenings, and with it, insight into the health of Kenya’s next generation.”

To demonstrate their deep-seated commitment to the well-being of the mothers and children of Kenya, Her Excellency Margaret Kenyatta, Jasper Westerink and their teams will participate in the event this Sunday (10th March 2019). Support staff from Philips and the Kenya Red Cross will also be manning comfort stations and recovery tents along the route to ensure the safety of all participants and supporters.

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 generated 2018 sales of EUR 18.1 billion and employs approximately 77,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter.