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Philips Foundation publishes its 2020 Annual Report highlighting the deployment of health technology expertise for underserved communities

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May 4, 2021 

  • 75 successful projects rolled out, including over 40 activities dedicated to combatting COVID-19 in 2020
  • Over 7.5 million people in underserved communities provided with access to healthcare in 2020
  • A global community of social entrepreneurs nurtured through development and scaling of sustainable models that provide affordable access to quality healthcare

Amsterdam, the Netherlands Philips Foundation, with its mission to provide access to quality healthcare for underserved communities through meaningful innovation, today announced publication of its 2020 Annual Report. The report outlines the success of more than 75 projects in 2020 that resulted in 7.5 million people in disadvantaged communities around the world having access to affordable quality healthcare services. This includes projects in China, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.

“2020 was an incredibly challenging year, with the COVID-19 pandemic bringing the importance of global access to quality healthcare into sharp perspective,” says Margot Cooijmans, Director of the Philips Foundation. The urgency of our support responses worldwide took a dazzling flight. I am incredibly grateful to all the partners who joined forces with us in 2020 to deliver timely relief as well as lasting change, and to the employees of Philips and the Philips Foundation, for their constant support and energy in putting our mission into action – organizing access to healthcare for underserved communities.”

COVID-19 response

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck at the beginning of 2020, Philips Foundation stepped up its efforts to protect those communities most at risk. Notable examples highlighted in the organization’s Annual Report include:

  • Healthcare equipment for Thunder God Mountain Hospital (China) – with the support of Philips China, the Philips Foundation donated urgently needed healthcare equipment with a value of approximately EUR 2 million to the newly-built Thunder God Mountain Hospital in Wuhan city to support the prevention and treatment of pneumonia associated with COVID-19.
  • AI software to detect and monitor COVID-19 patients (South Africa) – with the help of implementation funding from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and Dutch entrepreneurial development bank FMO, the Philips Foundation helped to deploy artificial intelligence (AI) software that deepens the analysis of chest X-rays to help the rapid triage and monitoring of COVID-19 patients in 11 South African hospitals.
  • Machine learning and AI to identify epidemic outbreaks (Africa) – a donation by Philips Foundation to establish a Virus Outbreak Data Network in Africa aimed at improving the findability, accessibility, interoperability and reuse of digital assets, including data from Africa’s health systems to identify and contain COVID-19 outbreaks.
  • Rapid deployment intensive care units (Italy and Lebanon) – development and procurement support to create 20-bed mobile ICUs that can be rapidly deployed to locations where COVID-19 threatens to overwhelm local healthcare infrastructures. With financial help from the AFAS Foundation and Noaber Foundation, two of these units were deployed to the Lombardy region and the island of Sardinia in Italy, and in collaboration with Philips Lebanon, the Lebanese Army, and the EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid (ECHO) organization, another was deployed in Lebanon’s capital, Beirut.

A full list of Philips Foundation’s COVID-19 response efforts is available on its website.

In addition to its COVID-19 response efforts, Philips Foundation succeeded in initiating new projects and keeping other ones going. Two examples that stand out are Philips Foundation’s joint initiative with UNICEF to fund and support the ‘Maker Innovation’ project in Kenya, and its collaboration with UK charity Global Action Plan to launch the ‘The Clean Air for Schools Framework’.

  • Maker Innovation project in Kenya – a ‘change the system from within’ initiative aimed at achieving better mother-, newborn-, and child-health in low-resource environments, by fostering local hands-on innovation and entrepreneurship to locally create and manufacture solutions that meet local needs. The project’s ‘Maker Space’ is equipped with digital fabrication tools and equipment for use by students at the University of Nairobi. Through support from the Philips Foundation and training from Philips, the project has already resulted in the development of 19 medical device prototypes, seven of which have been judged suitable for further development.
  • Clean Air for Schools Framework – a framework providing schools, teachers, parents and local authorities in the UK and the Republic of Ireland with an externally validated action blueprint for tackling air pollution in and around schools. With evidence suggesting that halving outdoor air pollution could result in a 20% to 50% reduction in the number of children with poor lung function [1], the tool was so well received that the blueprint is now being rolled out across Spain. 

New direction

In 2020, Philips Foundation made a strategic decision to focus on partnerships with social entrepreneurs to develop healthcare technologies and sustainable models that provide underserved communities with affordable access to healthcare – models that leverage the business and innovation expertise and resources of Philips to facilitate solution development and scale-up.

Philips Foundation helped 50 Healthy Entrepreneurs franchisees in Uganda, small businesses in local communities that sell over-the-counter medicines and health products, to expand their services with diagnostic tools and telehealth services. This resulted in increased public awareness of disease, better insight into patients’ conditions, reduced patient expenses, and increased revenue.

In addition, Philips Foundation provided a loan to CheckUps Medical, a provider of affordable primary healthcare services in Kenya and South Sudan, to help more low-wage families access medicines and care, launch a mobile clinic, and further develop CheckUps’ teleconsultation and home care services that started during the local lockdown. Philips Foundation also enabled the setting up of the Solvoz rapid humanitarian aid procurement platform, as well as the Mondmaskerfabriek, which at the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis was the Netherlands’ first surgical face mask manufacturer.

As the Philips foundation moves forward, it will continue to foster innovation and create scalable models that make healthcare provision more equal and open to millions of people in underserved parts of the world.

To read the full Annual Report, click here.

[1] Whitehouse A, Effects of air pollution exposure on child health and do interventions work?, Centre for Genomics and Child Health, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London (UK) https://www.globalactionplan.org.uk/files/effects_of_air_pollution_exposure_by_dr_abigail_whitehouse.pdf

For further information, please contact:

Yannick Eshuijs
Philips Foundation
Tel.: +31 6 1852 6633
E-mail: [email protected]

About the Philips Foundation
Philips Foundation is a registered charity that was established in 2014 – founded on the belief that innovation and collaboration can help solve some of the world’s toughest healthcare challenges for the underserved and make essential impact. Reflecting our commitment to United Nations SDGs 3 (Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages) and 17 (Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development), the mission of the Foundation is to reduce healthcare inequality by providing access to quality healthcare for disadvantaged communities. Philips Foundation fulfills its mission by deploying Philips’ expertise, innovative products and solutions, by collaborating with key partners around the world (including respected NGOs such as UNICEF, Amref and Save the Children), and by providing financial support for the collaborative activities. More information on can be found at www.philips-foundation.com

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Northern Data Group’s Peak Mining announces new partnership for 28MW of mining, powered by 100% renewable energy

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28MW of miners delivering 1.3 EH/s, strategically located in Paraguay2,860 units of MicroBT’s M63-series liquid-cooled WhatsMiners to be installedPower rate of sub $0.04/kWh, generated by 100% renewable hydropowerFRANKFURT, Germany , May 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Northern Data Group’s Peak Mining today announces a new partnership with Penguin Infrastructure Holding (“Penguin”) for 28MW of mining capacity. This project represents a significant next step in Northern Data Group’s geographical expansion and enables Peak Mining to increase its hashrate, powered by 100% renewable energy.

The hardware will be energized in H2 2024 and marks Peak Mining’s first step into South America. 2,860 units of MicroBT’s M63-series liquid-cooled WhatsMiners will be installed at the site. The hardware will generate 1.3 EH/s, contributing to Peak Mining’s planned growth to 7.9 EH/s this year.
The site in Paraguay is 100% powered by renewable hydropower harnessed from the 14 GW Itaipu Dam, it is the world’s third-largest hydroelectric dam. The site will therefore benefit from the availability of clean energy.
This expansion into South America follows Peak Mining’s recent purchase of a 300MW mining data center site in Corpus Christi, Texas, which will power around 4.2 EH/s of MicroBT’s miners as well as the construction of a 30MW facility in Grand Forks, North Dakota, which will support approximately 1.1 EH/s of the miners.
This selection of sites underscores Northern Data Group’s commitment to meet the demands of the industry as efficiently as possible. Throughout 2024, Northern Data Group will be rapidly expanding its HPC footprint. 
Aroosh Thillainathan, Northern Data Group’s Chief Executive Officer, commented:
“This partnership is significant to Northern Data Group as we continue to execute on our investment strategy and solidify our position within the global High Performance Computing market, and I’m especially pleased to be working with Penguin, given the team’s impressive sustainability standards at this site. It is Peak Mining’s first expansion into South America and is another milestone for the company as it continues to scale its international Bitcoin mining capabilities.”
Niek Beudeker, Managing Director, Peak Mining, commented:
“I’m pleased to partner with Penguin to expand our mining capacity to Paraguay. The Penguin team has done a tremendous job in constructing the site and building a strong local team. This agreement, structured as a partnership, will allow for better alignment of both parties than with a standard hosting arrangement. The partnership demonstrates our commitment to leveraging 100% clean energy to meet growing industry demand, efficiently”.
Björn Schmidtke, CEO at Penguin Group, commented:
“This strategic alliance with Northern Data Group strengthens our position as a leader in hosting next-generation High Performance Computing and also allows us to strengthen our capabilities and expand our offerings in cutting-edge areas such as AI compute. We are committed to advancing in this constantly accelerating world, which demands more high-quality services to keep evolving.”
About Peak Mining
Peak Mining, part of the Northern Data Group, is powering the future of the Bitcoin network. We deliver industry-leading operating and energy efficiency in Bitcoin mining through the latest hardware alongside innovative technology and HPC infrastructure. With our heritage dating back to 2013, we’ve been innovating for over a decade and have been at the forefront of the industry ever since. Our high-quality infrastructure is purpose-built to secure the Bitcoin network, and we’re driven to continuously find new efficiencies driving value for our investors. We’re delivering long term value in more responsible ways.
About Penguin
Penguin Group is at the forefront of HPC and cloud services powered by fully renewable hydro power in South America. Its core value is the mission to Transform Energy into Human Potential. This mission is achieved through Penguin Academy, a revolutionary education concept where students ‘learn by doing’ and has already trained thousands of young people to become the next generation of tech talent. Penguin aims to transform Paraguay into the Technological Hub of South America and expand their concept and mission globally.
About Northern Data Group
Northern Data Group (ETR: NB2) is a leading provider of High Performance Computing (HPC) solutions, utilizing GPU- and ASIC-technology. Our flexible compute power fuels innovation in our three core business platforms: Taiga Cloud, Ardent Data Centers, and Peak Mining. Through our HPC solutions, we pioneer ambitious computing innovation that drives progress in the AI, ML and Generative AI industries. Our close collaboration with industry-leading manufacturers including Gigabyte, AMD, and NVIDIA is fundamental to the acceleration of innovation across sectors including life sciences, financial services, and energy.  

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/northern-data-groups-peak-mining-announces-new-partnership-for-28mw-of-mining-powered-by-100-renewable-energy-302141597.html

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Sanad Announces Strategic Sale Transaction with CFM Materials, Further Fostering Aviation Industry Collaborations

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Sanad’s sale of two CFM56-7B engines to CFM Materials highlights its ongoing commitment to strengthening industry partnershipsBy partnering with leading aftermarket specialists, Sanad reaffirms its commitment to proactive portfolio management and strategic capital allocationHONG KONG, May 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Sanad, the global aerospace engineering and leasing solutions leader, wholly owned by Abu Dhabi’s sovereign investor Mubadala Investment Company PJSC (Mubadala), unveiled a strategic transaction between Sanad and CFM Materials, the world’s largest provider of used serviceable components for CFM International engines, during the International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading (ISTAT) Asia in Hong Kong.

The sale of two CFM56-7B* engines to CFM Materials underscores Sanad’s strategic shift and proactive approach to strengthening its market position in the aviation industry. Through strategic partnerships with leading aftermarket specialists, Sanad not only reaffirms its commitment but also solidifies its vital role as a key player in shaping the aviation landscape.
This strategic agreement marks a pivotal milestone for the Sanad Leasing division’s ongoing strategy, which was initiated last year with a renewed focus on monetizing existing assets and leveraging the Sanad Leasing division to empower the Sanad MRO division. The primary goal of this strategy is to drive and bolster the growth of the MRO division of Sanad.
Kashish Kohli, Group Chief Financial Officer and SVP Leasing Division at Sanad, said: “We are pleased to announce the successful sale of two CFM56 engines to CFM Materials. This transaction reaffirms our commitment to optimizing our portfolio collaborating with industry leaders like CFM Materials. We are eager to explore further synergies between our respective organizations to explore further avenues of cooperation in the future.”
This collaboration presents new opportunities for CFM Materials to support MRO networks, airlines, lessors, manufacturers, and other service providers worldwide. Adding two CFM56-7B engines to CFM Materials portfolio enables them to meet the increasing demand from customers.
Rudy Bryce, President and CEO of CFM Materials, commented: “This agreement with Sanad strengthens our commitment to support our customers by expanding our lease pool and bolstering our position as a reliable partner to engine owners, operators and CFM56 engine shops around the world.”
With over 35 years of operational excellence and trusted partnerships with over 30 customers across six continents, including world-leading international airlines and global OEMs, Sanad remains at the forefront of aerospace engineering and leasing solutions. The Sanad Leasing division, a key pillar of Sanad’s comprehensive offerings, is committed to providing integrated solutions that address the growth requirements of its partners. Currently, the Sanad Leasing division boasts a substantial portfolio exceeding USD 700 million in assets, showcasing its robust capabilities and dedication to supporting the aviation industry’s evolving needs.
About Sanad
Sanad Group (Sanad) is a global aerospace engineering and leasing solutions leader in Abu Dhabi wholly owned by Mubadala Investment Company PJSC. With more than 35 years of operational experience, Sanad supports leaders in commercial aviation with world-class maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services and financing solutions. 
Visit us at www.sanad.ae. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn @TheSanadGroup.
About CFM Materials
Based near DFW Airport, Texas, CFM Materials, a joint venture of GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines, is the world’s largest provider of used serviceable components for CFM International engines that power the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 commercial jetliners, as well as the Boeing KC-135R aerial tanker operated by the U.S. Air Force.
In addition to its core operation, the company also sells surplus inventories for CFM International and provides inventory for its parent companies’ MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) network around the world. CFM Materials has a global presence with warehouse facilities located near DFW Airport, Texas, Amsterdam, Hamburg, and Singapore; along with sales offices in Singapore and Cardiff, Wales. www.cfmmaterials.com 
*CFM56 engines are a product of CFM International, a 50/50 joint company between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines.
Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2408079/Sanad_CFM.jpg
For more information, please contact: Raneem Khatib Edelman [email protected] +971 50 204 9791

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CoreWeave Invests £1 Billion in UK; Opens New European Headquarters and Data Centres in London to Bring Cloud Infrastructure to Power the AI Revolution

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LONDON, May 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — CoreWeave, the leading specialized cloud provider for AI, today announced that it has opened an office in London as its European headquarters as part of a broader expansion into the continent. The new UK expansion represents a £1 billion investment to bolster the country’s AI potential, and will create job opportunities across engineering, operations, finance and go-to-market. CoreWeave plans to open two UK data centres in 2024 with further expansion planned in 2025.

“We are seeing unprecedented demand for AI infrastructure and London is an important AI hub that we are investing in. Expanding our physical footprint in the UK is an important milestone in the next phase of CoreWeave’s growth,” said Mike Intrator, Cofounder and Chief Executive Officer, CoreWeave. “CoreWeave’s infrastructure will fill a void in the cloud market by providing AI enterprises with localized high-performance compute solutions that will help build and deploy the next generation of AI applications.”  
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “Companies like CoreWeave are powering the future of AI innovation, and I am proud that they’ve backed the UK with a £1 billion investment into UK data centres and have established their European headquarters here – further cementing the UK’s position as an AI and tech superpower.
“We’re leaving no stone unturned to make the UK the best place for pioneering companies like CoreWeave to grow their roots. With the third highest number of AI companies and private investment in AI in the world, it’s clear our plan is working.”
Secretary of State of Science, Innovation, and Technology, Michelle Donelan said: “CoreWeave’s decision to base their European HQ here in London is not just a sign of our tech investment prowess, it is a resounding vote of confidence in our approach to AI and innovation. Today’s £1 billion investment will bring two new data centres to our shores, a vital tool in helping to develop the AI breakthroughs of tomorrow.
“It will also lead to new, highly paid jobs and countless opportunities for our brightest AI minds and start-ups as the UK continues to cement its global AI powerhouse credentials. Our message is clear – when it comes to investment, scaling-up, and innovation, the UK is the perfect home from home.”
CoreWeave’s new European headquarters in London is strategically located given the tremendous AI talent in the UK. The investment in the UK builds on the UK government’s established leadership fostering global awareness and engagement on responsible AI and the country’s commitment to drive investment with plans to upskill millions across the UK in AI. CoreWeave’s presence in the region will support the continued expansion of AI labs and enterprise customers across the UK, bringing much needed computing power to the UK.
CoreWeave’s existing data centres support some of the largest deployments of high-performance GPU clusters in the world, and the infrastructure through which those clusters are consumed is designed with engineers and innovators in mind. Trusted by leading AI labs and enterprises, CoreWeave Cloud manages complexity through automation to deliver the most performant and efficient cloud infrastructure for AI workloads.
About CoreWeave
CoreWeave is a specialized GPU cloud provider, designed to power the most complex workloads with customized solutions at scale. The company’s portfolio of cutting-edge technology delivers a broad range of capabilities for machine learning and AI, graphics and rendering, life sciences, real-time streaming, and more. Its world-class teams, talent, and engineering prowess bring unmatched speed-to-market for advanced compute. CoreWeave operates a growing footprint of data centers covering every region of the US. It was founded in 2017 and is based in New Jersey. Learn more at www.coreweave.com.
Contact
Jackson [email protected] 

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