GE Healthcare, a global leader in healthcare solutions providing transformational medical technologies and services and the Children's Cancer Hospital Egypt (CCHE) "57357", the largest pediatric oncology center of its kind in the Middle East and Africa, will inaugurate Egypt's first new generation cyclotron production facility at an event to be held on July 7th, 2009 at CCHE.
Closely aligned with a key GE "healthymagination" theme -- accessibility - the country's need for this CCHE "57357" facility is significant. Egypt's National Cancer Institute found that the survival rate for children with cancer in Egypt was just 40 percent, while the corresponding rate in North America is 80 percent. The cyclotron inauguration event will be held on the sidelines of the 1st CCHE Scientific Conference 2009, which is taking place from July 5-11th 2009 and discussing various topics on pediatric oncology and hospital operations.
GE Healthcare, a leading global cyclotron provider, recently installed its PETtrace™ 6 cyclotron with a complete radiopharmacy suite at CCHE, making it the first new generation cyclotron production facility in Egypt. GE's cyclotron will allow for the production of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), necessary for the operation of a PET/CT (positron emission tomography / computed tomography) system. A PET/CT system is a diagnostic tool essential for cancer detection and treatment in children as well as for adults. Utilizing FDG injected into a patient, a PET/CT procedure provides useful functional and anatomic information for oncological, neurological and cardiac evaluations.
"Children with cancer have unique needs, and experts attribute the low survival rate in the region to late diagnoses, lack of trained staff, and inadequate treatment. The Children's Cancer Hospital 57357 Egypt is proud to be driving the treatment of cancer in children in Egypt, having facilities that include the first specialized department of psychology, social work and psychiatry for pediatric oncology patients; the first child life and school program for hospitalized children; and the first comprehensive physiotherapy department for oncology patients," said Dr Sherif Abouelnaga, Professor Pediatric Oncology and Director Academic Affairs, Research & Outreach at the Children's Cancer Hospital 57357 Egypt.
"We are pleased to have installed GE's innovative cyclotron which addresses our needs to provide world-class healthcare, not only for the Children's Cancer Hospital 57357 Egypt but for cancer patients regardless of age, in other hospitals. This will not only enable a more advanced, faster and aggressive treatment for cancer patients in Egypt, but a source of sustainable revenue for the Children's Cancer Hospital 57357 Egypt that will support the further development of facilities for the advancement of treatment for children with cancer," added Dr. Abouelnaga.
Healthymagination -- focus on cost, access and quality
At tomorrow's scientific symposium which also marks CCHE's second anniversary of operation, Richard di Benedetto, GE Healthcare's President and CEO for the Eastern & Africa Growth Markets (EAGM) region will deliver a speech to introduce healthymagination, the company's new commitment to healthcare across the globe. In highlighting GE's proactive global outlook, this will help address some of the challenges currently facing the region.
GE recently announced that it will globally spend US$3 billion over the next six years on healthcare innovation that will help deliver better care to more people at lower cost. The company will also commit US$2 billion of financing and US$1 billion in related GE technology and content to drive healthcare information technology and health in rural and under-served areas. These investments totaling US$6 billion are the foundation of GE's 'healthymagination' initiative, which is built on the global commitments of reducing costs, improving quality and expanding access for millions of people.
"We welcome the opportunity to be a part of this event, and recognize the team at CCHE for their dedication and commitment to provide more access to the latest healthcare solutions. Today, this region has one of the fastest growing healthcare infrastructures. Healthcare providers are facing increasing demand from patients for more and better quality services and enhanced performance and profitability from shareholders. GE's 'healthymagination' business strategy addresses the need for sustainable healthcare mechanisms, which will be vital in helping to transform healthcare delivery in Egypt and across the region," said Richard di Benedetto, GE Healthcare's President and CEO for the
Eastern & Africa Growth Markets (EAGM) region.
Under healthymagination, by 2015 GE will:
* Invest $3 billion in research and development to launch at least 100 innovations that lower cost, increase access and improve quality by 15 percent. GE will also apply its expertise in services and its suite of performance improvement tools for impact in these areas. These actions will strengthen GE Healthcare's business model.
* Work with partners to focus innovations on four critical needs to start: accelerating healthcare information technology; target high-tech products to more affordable price points; broaden access to the underserved; and support consumer-driven health.
* Expand its employee health efforts by creating new wellness and healthy worksite programs while keeping cost increases below the rate of inflation.
* Increase the "value gap" between its health spend and GE Healthcare earnings to drive new value for GE shareholders.
* Engage and report on its progress. GE will engage experts and leaders on policy and programs and create a GE Health Advisory Board, which will include former U.S. senators Bill Frist and Tom Daschle and other global healthcare leaders.
-Ends-
Note to Editors
About CCHE:
The Children's Cancer Hospital works to provide effective management and treatment systems encompassing cancer prevention, treatment, education and research for children with cancer and their families regardless ofrace, creed, or ability to pay. The Children's Cancer Hospital will serve as a model in the Arab world of how excellence in the care of children can be achieved through collaboration and integration of medical knowledge from the most scientifically advanced sources world wide.
Hospital 57357 recognizes that achieving the goal of providing superior services depends upon a dedicated and highly trained staff, therefore the highest priority is placed on supporting personal and professional growth, and fostering a team environment.
About GE Healthcare:
GE Healthcare provides transformational medical technologies and services that are shaping a new age of patient care. Our broad expertise in medical imaging and information technologies, medical diagnostics, patient monitoring systems, drug discovery, biopharmaceutical manufacturing technologies, performance improvement and performance solutions services help our customers to deliver better care to more people around the world at a lower cost. In addition, we partner with healthcare leaders, striving to leverage the global policy change necessary to implement a successful shift to sustainable healthcare systems.
Our "healthymagination" vision for the future invites the world to join us on our journey as we continuously develop innovations focused on reducing costs, increasing access and improving quality and efficiency around the world. Headquartered in the United Kingdom, GE Healthcare is a US$17 billion unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE). Worldwide, GE Healthcare employs more than 46,000 people committed to serving healthcare professionals and their patients in more than 100 countries. For more information about GE Healthcare, visit our website at www.gehealthcare.com
Rania Rostom