Philips Rolls out Cath Lab Allura FC, Post Alpha Acquisition

Philips Healthcare recently launched Allura FC multi-purpose catherisation lab. The Allura FC is aimed at the value segment and is the first indigenous product to be rolled out, post the acquisition of Alpha in late 2008.

A significant addition to the emerging markets healthcare product portfolio, Allura FC will be manufactured in India and exported to other countries across the globe. Anjan Bose, Vice President and Business Head, Philips Healthcare, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal said, "Targeted at the value segment, the Allura FC multi-purpose cath lab is an attractive solution for hospitals to extend their cardiac care treatment programmes in remote geographical areas with scarce medical equipment. It is also well-suited as a back-up lab for mainstream cardiovascular applications."

Commenting on Philips' concentrated focus on the value segment, Bose said, "We have focused on manufacturing and introducing products in India that help bring costs down while maintaining quality standards. The Allura FC adds another growth engine to Philips' healthcare emerging markets business and further endorses our commitment to deliver affordable healthcare solutions to all, especially those in the value segment and remote geographies. As the first product to launch, post Alpha acquisition, the Philips Allura FC will also help position India on the global healthcare map."

Although new, the Allura FC is already in demand with one customer signed up to purchase it. The first Allura FC has been installed at Adarsha Hospital, Udupi. "This purchase substantiates Philips Healthcare's commitment to expand its footprint in tier II and III cities across India," added Bose.

Said Dr Chandrasekhar, Chairman, Adarsha Hospitals, Udupi, "I always wanted to establish a cardiac cath lab in my hospital but the high cost was the main obstacle for a medium sized hospital like ours. Philips' Allura FC offers me all the features and applications of a high-end cardiac cath lab with high image quality, road mapping and personal protection. Now I and my team of doctors can provide this vital service to our patients."

Philips Healthcare has recently installed a next generation technology Virtual Intensive Care Unit suite (ICU) in a few state-of-the-art hospitals in India. "The concept is a demonstration of the company's vision to deliver innovative design and facilities to improve patient care. With the capability and successful commissioning of a few initial systems, Philips has provided busy clinicians with the capability to monitor their patients anywhere round the clock and deliver them world class care day or night or on holidays or while travelling anywhere in the world," added Bose. The 'Virtual ICU' allows the expert senior specialist to stay connected to patients admitted to the critical care unit of the hospital. Vital patient information and clinical tests data can be transmitted over the hospital's virtual protocol network for specialist monitoring and consultation around the world, around the clock.

The next step in the Virtual ICU is the eICU, a global strength that Philips wants to bring to India. "The eICU enables several remote hospitals' ICUs to be connected to a big specialist ICU where the best critical care specialists monitor and review patients remotely through online data connected from patient monitors and real-time video images of a patient's condition," added Bose.