While the Fujifilm brand is synonymous with photographic films, the company has evolved into a healthcare technology enterprise and now expects its Medical Systems Business to be among the growth drivers for its global target of 2.7 Trillion Japanese Yen (over P1 Trillion) sales by Fiscal Year 2024, Fujifilm Philippines President, Ryo Nagaoka, told Manila Bulletin.

"We remain committed in delivering quality service and equipment, like X-ray machines, to support the Philippines' healthcare system and healthcare workers during this crisis," he stated in an e-mail interview.

Using technology derived from its photographic business, the company pioneered diagnostic imaging and information systems for healthcare facilities.

"Our Healthcare segment helped address the country’s most pressing challenges and contributed to making the local healthcare system more efficient," Nagaoka explained.

"We have successfully installed medical equipment in the Philippine General Hospital and other private and government hospitals," he pointed out.

In the fiscal year ending March 31, 2022, Fujifilm Healthcare contributed to the parent company's

38.4 percent year-over-year increase in revenues to ¥801.7 Billion (P321 Billion) and 78.4 percent year-over-year increase in operating income to ¥100.5 Billion (P40 Billion).

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"We will reinforce each of our business segments to strengthen our business portfolio and enable mid- to long-term stable growth," according to Nagaoka.

Furthermore, "We will continue to achieve sustainable growth by addressing various social issues and become a leading force of transition into a better society," he added.

Fujifilm Philippines, now in its tenth year of operations, was established as a sales subsidiary of the Fujifilm regional headquarters in Asia Pacific in 2012.

The company's products and services fall under four segments, ranging from electronic, photo imaging, industrial products, graphic to medical systems.

Specifically, its Healthcare segment produces medical equipment and pharmaceuticals.

Its Materials segment supplies graphic systems, inkjets, semiconductor materials and recording media.

Its Business Innovation segment provides digital color multifunction devices and printers for office use and services for business solutions while its Imaging segment still turns out photo and electronic imaging, such as mirrorless cameras and photo printing services.

In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, Fujifilm Philippines installed digital mobile x-rays (FDR Go PLUS) in various hospitals.

The devices helped Radiology Team frontliners do chest x-rays of patients with COVID-19 symptoms.

"During the pandemic, we adapted online marketing schemes and offered healthcare and product solutions for Covid19 patients,” the Fujifilm Philippines president noted.

Fujifilm Corporation expanded its product line-up by acquiring the diagnostic imaging-related business of Hitachi, Ltd in 2020.

This business covered computerized tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in addition to X-ray, ultrasound systems, endoscopy, in-vitro diagnostic systems and Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACS).

Fujifilm Philippines also started offering these products in the local market.

Recently, the company secured Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals for two key products that aided healthcare workers in responding to COVID-19 cases.

First was the FDR Nano mobile digital X-ray system that enables medical professionals to diagnose COVID-19 signs.

Second was the Fujifilm COVID-19 Ag Test Kit that provides quick screening for COVID-19.

Both products help in the government’s heightened efforts to halt the COVID-19 pandemic.