Philips Foundation supports Italy’s national civil protection and humanitarian organizations on the front line of the nation’s COVID-19 crisis

The Philips Foundation, a registered charity and platform for the worldwide societal activities of Royal Philips today announced practical initiatives and financial help to support Italy’s national Civil Protection organization and Cesvi, one of Italy’s biggest humanitarian organizations, in their efforts to help frontline healthcare workers and their patients during the COVID-19 crisis. 

Part of the Foundation’s financial support will go to Italy’s Civil Protection organization for the purchase of personal protective equipment and medical devices needed for the treatment of hospitalized patients. Its financial donation to Cesvi, which is located in the seriously affected region around Bergamo, will support operation of the intensive care unit in Bergamo’s Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital through the purchase of individual protection devices and transportable non-invasive ventilation systems. Both donations are part of the Philips Foundation’s mission to reduce healthcare inequality by providing access to quality healthcare for disadvantaged communities. 

In addition to the support provided by the Philips Foundation, Philips Italy launched a fundraising initiative that was rapidly responded to with excellent results. To increase the initiative’s impact even further, Philips Italy pledged to match the amount raised, resulting in a total of EUR 50,000 being donated to the Italian Red Cross. The money will go toward management of emergency care across the country and the purchase of vital equipment to address the COVID-19 emergency.

“In such a dramatic situation, the Philips Foundation and Philips are making an important contribution to support those at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19 in Italy,” said Simona Comandè, General Manager of Philips Italy, Israel and Greece. “Day in and day out, in Italy and across the world, our technicians install and maintain medical equipment vital to combatting the COVID-19 emergency. As a global company, we are also mobilizing critical care products and solutions to help diagnose and treat patients with the novel coronavirus.” 

As extra assistance, Philips Italy has offered the Lombardy Region and Italy’s Civil Protection organization free use of the former Philips offices in Monza until the end of the emergency. The complex, which was in use until March 2018, has a total floor area of 24,000 square meters.