Health technology major Philips and leading healthcare provider Apollo Hospitals have entered into a non-exclusive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to examine collaborative efforts aimed at improving stroke treatment and management of structural heart disease across the country. Any concrete projects arising from the understanding will proceed only after formal agreements and necessary approvals are in place.
Through this partnership, both organisations plan to develop care pathways supported by technology and guided by real-world clinical practice. The effort will combine Philips’ expertise in advanced imaging and image-guided therapies with Apollo Hospitals’ medical experience, with the goal of enabling coordinated decision-making from diagnosis through intervention, especially in complex and time-critical situations.
The timing of the collaboration is significant for India’s healthcare sector. Data published in The Lancet Neurology indicates that the country saw more than 1.25 million new stroke cases in 2021—almost twice the number reported in 1990—demonstrating a major rise in both incidence and prevalence over the last 30 years. National mortality statistics further highlight the challenge: according to the Registrar General of India, cardiovascular diseases are now the top cause of death, responsible for nearly one-third of all fatalities. Together, these figures emphasize the need for integrated and technology-driven solutions for diagnosis, treatment, and long-term patient care.
Roy Jakobs, Chief Executive Officer, Royal Philips, said, “Healthcare systems in India are at a pivotal moment, with rising incidence of complex cardiovascular and neurological conditions placing increasing demands on clinicians. Through this collaboration with Apollo Hospitals, Philips aims to bring its global platforms in advanced imaging and image-guided therapies to help shape more resilient, data-driven care pathways supporting earlier intervention, greater precision, and sustainable improvements in patient outcomes at scale.”
Dr Prathap C. Reddy, Founder and Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group, said, “As India’s healthcare needs grow in complexity, the integration of advanced technology with clinical expertise is essential to deliver scalable, high-quality care. Our collaboration with Philips brings together Apollo’s legacy of clinical excellence with Philips’ AI-enabled advanced imaging solutions to further strengthen our stroke and structural heart disease pathways.”
The MoU concentrates on two medical priorities—stroke management and structural heart disease. For structural heart conditions, proposed initiatives include enhancing procedural precision, optimising the use of contrast agents, and improving real-time imaging guidance during interventions. In stroke care, the partners aim to speed up imaging processes and simplify patient workflows so treatment can begin within the crucial “golden hour.” This is expected to shorten door-to-needle time, boost clinical efficiency, and ensure patients receive prompt and consistent care when rapid response is critical.
(The above image is AI-generated and is for illustrative purposes only)