Philips, a global leader in health technology, and Apollo Hospitals, one of India’s most trusted healthcare providers, have signed a non-exclusive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore initiatives aimed at advancing stroke care and structural heart disease management across India.
However, both organisations clarified that they will implement specific initiatives only after executing definitive agreements and securing the required approvals.
Strengthening Technology-Enabled Care Pathways
Under the MoU, Philips and Apollo Hospitals intend to strengthen technology-enabled care pathways grounded in real-world clinical practice. By combining Philips’ advanced imaging and image-guided therapy capabilities with Apollo’s clinical expertise, the collaboration aims to enable integrated decision-making across diagnosis and intervention.
In particular, the partnership will support clinicians in managing complex and time-sensitive cases by enhancing precision, improving coordination, and streamlining workflows.
Addressing India’s Growing Cardiovascular and Stroke Burden
The collaboration comes at a critical time for India’s healthcare system. According to The Lancet Neurology, India recorded more than 1.25 million new stroke cases in 2021—nearly double the number reported in 1990. This sharp rise highlights a significant increase in both incidence and prevalence over the past three decades.
Moreover, data from the Registrar General of India show that cardiovascular diseases have become the leading cause of death in the country, accounting for nearly one-third of all deaths. These trends clearly underscore the urgent need for integrated, technology-driven approaches to diagnosis, intervention, and long-term care.
Leadership Perspectives on the Collaboration
Roy Jakobs, Chief Executive Officer of Philips, emphasised the importance of the partnership. He stated that India’s healthcare system stands at a pivotal moment, as the rising burden of complex cardiovascular and neurological conditions places increasing demands on clinicians. Through this collaboration with Apollo Hospitals, Philips aims to deploy its global platforms in advanced imaging and image-guided therapies to build resilient, data-driven care pathways. He added that the initiative seeks to support earlier intervention, greater precision, and sustainable improvements in patient outcomes at scale.
Dr. Prathap C. Reddy, Founder and Chairman of Apollo Hospitals Group, highlighted the strategic importance of integrating advanced technology with clinical expertise. He noted that as healthcare needs grow more complex, scalable and high-quality care requires seamless technology adoption. By combining Apollo’s legacy of clinical excellence with Philips’ AI-enabled advanced imaging solutions, the partnership aims to strengthen stroke and structural heart disease pathways. He further explained that precision imaging can enable faster, better-informed interventions, enhance operational efficiency, improve functional recovery, and accelerate patient discharge.
Formal Signing of the MoU
Roy Jakobs signed the MoU on behalf of Philips, while Ms. Shobana Kamineni, Executive Vice Chairperson of Apollo Health Co Ltd., signed on behalf of Apollo. Dr. Prathap C. Reddy attended the signing ceremony.
Focus Areas: Structural Heart Disease and Stroke Care
As per the Philips Press release, the MoU focuses on two key clinical areas—structural heart disease and stroke care.
In structural heart disease, the collaboration aims to improve procedural accuracy, optimise contrast usage, and enhance real-time imaging guidance during interventions.
Meanwhile, in stroke care, the initiative seeks to accelerate imaging workflows and streamline patient pathways. By enabling intervention within the golden hour, the partners aim to reduce door-to-needle time, improve clinical efficiency, and ensure timely, consistent care when every minute is critical.