GE Healthcare, MTL partner to manufacture diagnostic imaging products in Russia

Nov 26 2009

GE Healthcare, a unit of General Electric Company (NYSE:GE), and a leading Russian medical imaging manufacturer Medical Technologies Limited (MTL), today announced a strategic partnership to manufacture diagnostic imaging products in Russia, starting with GE Healthcare’s CT BrightSpeed™ Elite system, in line with GE’s healthymagination strategy. The partnership will see Russia’s first locally manufactured advanced 16-slice computed tomography (CT).

GE Healthcare’s first Russian localization project is aimed at bringing accessible, innovative and modern healthcare technologies to support government programs modernizing healthcare infrastructure for stroke, oncology and emergency care. Consistent with GE’s global healthymagination strategy, it will help Russian medical professionals deliver better quality care to more people at lower cost.

Under this initiative, MTL, a leading Russian manufacturer specializing in development and manufacturing of x-ray, mammography, and healthcare information technology solutions, will, together with GE Healthcare, localize, manufacture and distribute GE Healthcare diagnostic imaging technologies in Russia.

Richard Di Benedetto, President & CEO, GE Healthcare, EAGM (Eastern and Africa Growth Markets), said: “This partnership marks the beginning of an exciting time for GE Healthcare in Russia. We will be manufacturing modern products tailored to local needs in order to bring high-tech, affordable and innovative diagnostic imaging to benefit patients across Russia. This partnership confirms our commitment to Russian healthcare and will also create new jobs for the Russian medical technology industry.”

Anatoly Dabagov, President, MTL, said: “We are proud to be working with a world-leading healthcare technology company like GE Healthcare on the localization of diagnostic imaging products, starting with GE Healthcare’s CT BrightSpeed Elite system for manufacture in Russia. MTL’s track record as a leading diagnostic imaging manufacturer in Russia, combined with GE’s global technology excellence, means we have a solid basis for localizing innovative GE Healthcare technologies to help spread access to high-quality healthcare around Russia.”

Vyacheslav Grischenko, General Manager Russia & CIS, GE Healthcare said: "We want to be in Russia for Russia, and we believe that by starting CT manufacturing we can help bring better healthcare and address one of the country’s top strategic priorities, the localization of high-tech medical equipment manufacturing. It is the right move for Russia, for healthcare professionals, and for the patients we are working for."

First manufacturer-led dedicated Training Center for healthcare professionals
GE Healthcare’s also announced the opening in Moscow of the ‘GE Healthcare Academy’ that will provide access to technical knowledge and education for a wide range of diagnostic imaging specialists in Moscow and the Russian regions. In addition to delivering up to 100 training courses at various levels every year, the GE Healthcare Academy will also host conferences and seminars.

“New technologies in healthcare demand new training for healthcare professionals if improvements are to be sustainable in the long-term. The launch of this new training center is a sign that a manufacturer is not only committed to supplying high-end medical equipment to Russia, but also to building up local healthcare capabilities and enabling Russian healthcare professionals to keep up with the latest innovations,” said Academician Sergey Ternovoy, Head of Radiology Department of Moscow Medical Academy.

Source GE Healthcare