Future of Health Summit: Philips Africa’s Jasper Westerink on having a shared view on healthcare

Healthcare in Africa is undergoing a transformative shift, moving away from traditional vendor-customer relationships towards a shared responsibility model that involves all stakeholders, including companies like Philips, governments, individuals, and NGOs. This was the key takeaway from a recent interview with Jasper Westerink, CEO of Philips Africa, at the Future of Health Summit. Westerink emphasized the importance of having a shared view on healthcare, stressing the need for collaboration and collective action to drive positive change in the industry. One of the major highlights of the discussion was the potential for leveraging innovation to not only reduce costs but also increase access to healthcare. Westerink pointed out that Philips' perspective on the future of health in Nigeria focuses on driving down costs, improving access, and enhancing patient outcomes while also ensuring healthcare professionals find satisfaction in their work. He described this approach as the 'quadruple aim' - a holistic view of healthcare that aims to achieve better outcomes for all involved. In Westerink's view, Nigeria has the critical mass needed to implement large healthcare projects successfully. He cited examples within and outside Nigeria that demonstrate the feasibility of achieving scale and quality in healthcare delivery. However, he emphasized the importance of collaboration in order to turn these opportunities into reality, urging stakeholders to join hands and work together towards a common goal. Addressing the challenges facing the health sector in Nigeria and Africa as a whole, Westerink highlighted the role of the private sector in harnessing opportunities through technology. He emphasized the need for task shifting using technology to overcome the shortage of healthcare workers at all levels. By empowering healthcare workers with tools like mobile ultrasound devices that allow real-time communication with specialists, technology can enable a broader reach and help alleviate the burden on healthcare systems. When asked about Africa's readiness to embrace technological solutions in healthcare, Westerink expressed optimism. He acknowledged the presence of numerous entrepreneurs and initiatives on the continent that demonstrate a growing awareness of the need for change and improvement in healthcare services. With a strong desire for access and quality care, Westerink believes that Africa is indeed a ready market for technological innovations and applications. As the landscape of healthcare continues to evolve, the conversation with Jasper Westerink sheds light on the potential of collaboration and innovation to drive positive change in Africa's health sector. By fostering a shared responsibility approach and leveraging technology to overcome challenges, stakeholders can collectively work towards a future where healthcare is accessible, affordable, and of high quality for all.