Philips reducing neonatal mortality by supporting Red River Run

The representatives of the Hanoi's Department of Health Service and Hanoi OBGYN Hospital take a photo with the representatives of Royal Philips, the title sponsor for Red River Run

Hosted in Hanoi on April 21, Red River Run is a 300km non-stop relay from Hanoi Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital to Lao Cai Obstetrics Hospital and Newborn Unit, with an aim to raise much needed funds for preventing neonatal mortality in Vietnam.

There are around 17,000 newborn deaths per year, accounting for 52 per cent of deaths among children under the age of five in the country. Disparity in healthcare access, resource constraints in healthcare workforce, and lack of trained specialists are the key reasons for the poor outcomes of neonatal care.

All the runners join the stretching before the 3km fun-filled run around Lang Lake

Newborns Vietnam strives to address the care access issues by working with multiple partners, such as the National Children’s Hospital and the Ministry of Health, to provide ongoing training for healthcare professionals around the country. The organisation has also taken a lead in building a safe transport system for infant care between hospitals.

Recognising the alignment of Newborns Vietnam’s cause with its goal to improve access to healthcare in underserved communities to 400 million people a year by 2030, and its ongoing target to reduce child mortality and improve maternal health through innovations, Philips will join the Red River Run and bring in the highest-grade donation as a title sponsor.

About 900 runners join Red River Run to raise funds for the health of newborns in Vietnam

“We take the issue of infant deaths seriously as we strongly believe that mothers and infants deserve the best care possible before, during, and after birth. We are proud to work with Newborns Vietnam and be part of their cause to provide good, safe, and consistent care for the mothers and children who need it most,” said Hugo Luik, country manager, Philips Vietnam, who will also join the run to be part of the relay team.

The Red River Run will begin on April 21 with a 3km fun run around the Chua Lang area, where Henk Siebren de Jong, chief of International Markets, Royal Philips, and 750 doctors and nurses will be participating. This fun-run has been organised to support the three Red River Runners, Marieke Dekkers, Grant Bowdrey, and Rob West, who will set out on the 300km run on April 22.

The funds raised by the event will go to various initiatives, including the newborn training programme for nine hospitals in Hanoi and the donation of lifesaving equipment to the Lao Cai Obstetrics Hospital and Newborn Unit.

Associate profesor Nguyen Duy Anh, director of Hanoi OBGYN Hosptial, presents a token of the hospital's appreciation to Royal Philips

“We are immensely grateful to Marieke, Grant, and Rob for the amazing challenge they are undertaking. Every km they run will raise awareness and funds to support our hospital partners to develop greater capacity to give every baby the best possible start in life,” said Suzanna Lubran, executive director of Newborns Vietnam.

Philips aims to improve people’s health globally, as an advocate for mother and child care solutions, the company is committed to providing innovative, clinically proven solutions with the broadest range of support through every stage and each transition. These include maternal and fetal monitoring during pregnancy, neonatal positioning, calming and soothing solutions for the neonatal ICU, and feeding and monitoring for the transition home.

The first male runner finishing the race

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 €18.1 billion ($20.35 billion) and employs approximately 77,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries.