Philips, Philips Foundation, and MedShare launch program to strengthen U.S. healthcare readiness for natural disasters

Unlike traditional reactive disaster response programs, this initiative prioritizes disaster preparedness as a strategy to save lives and create continuity of care. MedShare will have Philips medical equipment and other essential products on hand, ensuring these resources are available for rapid deployment when natural disasters disrupt access to healthcare. Prompted by the critical need highlighted during Hurricane Helene in 2024 [1], this strategic partnership has been designed to supply essential medical equipment and supplies to enable continuity of care to people and communities in need during times of crisis.

“By working hand-in-hand with Philips and the Philips Foundation, we’re not only staging life-saving medical equipment for rapid deployment following disasters, but we’re also reimagining sustainability in emergency response,” said Stacey Koehnke, CEO and Executive Director of MedShare International. “Together, we’re building an innovative, resilient, forward-looking system that saves lives today and strengthens response capacity for the challenges of tomorrow.”

The need for a proactive and sustainable approach to disaster response has never been more urgent. Natural disasters are increasingly compromising access to healthcare across the United States, with nearly 400 climate disasters causing over $1 billion in damages each in the past 45 years [2], causing severe damage to so many families and communities.

Philips North America is contributing ultrasound systems capable of cardiac, vascular, obstetric and gynecological imaging. These technologies, to be staged and deployed by MedShare, are supported by field service engineers for installation, maintenance and de-installation to ensure effective deployment in challenging environments. Additionally, the donation of essential mother-and-child care products such as feeding bottles and pacifiers will help to address urgent needs in disaster-affected areas.

Philips Foundation will provide financial aid and strategic guidance, drawing on over a decade of experience in disaster relief. In 2024 alone, the Foundation helped respond to major crises across the world, including the Noto Peninsula Earthquake in Japan and the devastating floods in Brazil, Poland, and Spain, by ensuring the rapid delivery of critical medical equipment and services.

Eddine Sarroukh, Head of the Philips Foundation, stated: “By combining Philips’ healthcare expertise with MedShare’s extensive network, we are responding to disasters and building a resilient system that supports continuity of care for the most vulnerable communities. It's great that we are teaming up with a like-minded partner to establish a disaster-preparedness model for rapid response and continuity during emergencies, we hope to see scaled.”