World Health Day – 7th April 2021: Together for a fairer, healthier world

Today is World Health Day.

It is celebrated each year to mark the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948 and to raise awareness about a public health priority. 

Last year, COVID-19 hit all countries across the world pointing out health inequities and poor access to safe environments for some groups and people. The pandemic has disproportionately impacted those people already disadvantaged, and evidence shows a worsening trend of disparities and inequity and this leads to unnecessary suffering and avoidable illness.

For this reason, this year the World Health Organization (WHO) chose the theme“Together for a fairer, healthier world” to celebrate World Health Day calling for action to eliminate health inequities and mobilize action to attain better health for all and leave no one behind.

Progress in tackling health disparities runs slowly worldwide but Fujifilm is determined to strengthen our efforts to help solve social issues as well. Fujifilm started to provide “FDR Xair” to the organization “Stop TB Partnership” for their study to control tuberculosis (TB) mainly in Asia and African regions. And then, Sonosite SoundCaring and Global Health Loaner programs make Sonosite hand-carried ultrasound systems available to those working on humanitarian efforts in remote, low-income communities with little or no access to ultrasound technology. For expectant mothers in a rural village, an ultrasound diagnosis can mean the difference between a safe and hazardous delivery. For children suffering from pneumonia in sub-Saharan Africa or South Asia, an ultrasound or x-ray diagnosis can lead to life-saving treatment. Because our equipment is uniquely suited for these austere environments, we feel compelled to bring this valuable technology to those who need it most.

You can read many of these stories on the Sonosite Global Health blog section.

There are still many issues to be addressed, not only in terms of unmet medical needs but also other issues that include the medical divide, the shortage of doctors…Us, in Fujifilm, we mobilize our technologies, products and service to resolve various issues and contributing to further improving the quality of medical care and better health for all. 

Health is a fundamental human right.

AT YOUR SERVICE – Back then and today

– We are at your service. During the current Coronavirus pandemic, our technicians and application specialists are working on the front line alongside healthcare professionals to make sure patients can be diagnosed and treated. Today, Fujifilm looks back at decades of research and development to make this – today’s support – possible. –

Fujifilm has the possibility to support healthcare workers, doctors and patients during the current coronavirus crisis. Our colleagues have adapted to the new situation quickly to enable service and support for those who need it most during the pandemic. This approach might seem new to a few of our readers, but is actually more than 80 years old to us as the Fujifilm family. 

Fujifilm was founded in 1934, back then named Fuji Photo Film Co. Lt., and only two years later, we already launched our first x-ray films. They have been our start in a long history of caring for people’s health. Have a look at this video for a few Fujifilm milestones in the healthcare field: 

Due to the novel coronavirus emergency and the character of the COVID-19 disease, affecting the human lung especially heavily, x-ray is in focus in 2020. – Sadly, not primarily for the 125 year anniversary of Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen’s discovery of x-rays, but due to a critical new disease putting the world into crisis mode and people’s health at great risk. 

Our decades of research, development, and pursuing strategic cooperations, have now put us in a position to offer support to the healthcare sector across the entire spectrum of patient care, ranging from prevention to diagnostics and therapy solutions. 

Now, digitisation is driving us to create value from innovation; growing alongside the needs of the hospitals and doctors caring for you, we have been working in the field of medical IT and medical AI. We are grateful this approach has made it possible lately to support European hospitals, like the ASST Vimercate Hospital in Italy, to efficiently set up a system to assist healthcare professionals to manage the large number of COVID patients. 

Please visit our TAKE AWAY LIBRARY and check out Number 17 REiLI USER’S VOICE or read our latest article on ASST Vimercate Hospital to learn more about how REiLI can support hospitals in times of COVID-19.

We have always learned and evolved, enabling our technology and our colleagues to be at your service. Growing, to serve the health of society – back then, today and in the future.

Bloomberg: Regenerative medicine could be a $120 billion industry by 2030

Today Bloomberg reported about regenerative medicine in Japan. Four years ago, Shinya Yamanaka, a Kyoto University professor, had won the Nobel Prize for his work in stem cell biology, which has since sparked investment into regenerative medicine in Japan. Companies like Fujifilm and Hitachi Ltd. have also made investments on technology and products using Yamanaka’s discovery. Through an acquisition of  Japan Tissue Engineering Co. Ltd, Fujifilm is already supplying patients in Japan with artificially generated skin and cartilage. Read the full interview with FUJIFILM Corporation Mr. Toda, Executive Vice President, and Mr. Ban, General Manager of Regenerative Medicine business.
Read more.

Connecting Healthcare Community

While the volume of healthcare information captured and stored is increasing dramatically, medical professionals and patients need to access and share data, anytime, anywhere, on any device, in a secure and fast way. “Connection is a key factor to maximize success in this changing scenario, and Synapse, with its broad portfolio, is the key to provide successful connection by improving medical workflow” says Pedro Mesquita, FUJIFILM Europe Vice President Medical Systems. The new business approach was launched through a powerful and innovative web-platform in which the healthcare professionals can experience all the benefits of Synapse adoption.

Read more.