The Philips Foundation and Philips Vietnam, a leading health technology company, have donated 50 patient monitors to 13 COVID-19 treatment hospitals in HCM City and Dong Nai and Binh Duong provinces.

The multi-parameter monitors can be used for several different purposes such as triage, emergency treatment and critical care.

Margot Cooijmans, director of the foundation, said, “We believe that when technological innovation and collaboration are combined, we can support the medical force at critical times while meeting future needs in the long run.

“We hope that the installation of critical patient monitors will be of great benefit in managing the influx of COVID-19 patients at hospitals.”

Hugo Luik, Philips Vietnam’s country manager, said: “At Philips, we are committed to advancing and supporting the healthcare sector in Viet Nam through meaningful innovation.

“I am happy we can contribute especially during these difficult times with support from the Philips Foundation and in collaboration with Medical Committee Netherlands - Viet Nam (MCNV) and the Vietnamese Fatherland Front.

“Our support intends to partly mitigate the shortage of medical equipment at … hospitals … managing a high volume of seriously ill patients.”

Pham Dung, country director, MCNV, said: “Amidst the complicated ongoing COVID-19 outbreak in HCM City and neighbouring localities, Philips Foundation has provided vital support to healthcare facilities in the treatment of COVID-19 through the donation of patient monitors.

“We hope [the outbreak] will soon be controlled and life will return to normal for everyone.” — VNS