Phnom Penh, Cambodia -- March 11, 2011 -- GE Healthcare held a talk " [15th of Medic-Surgical Symposium and 2nd of Medical Day Care" in conjunction with the Cambodian Annual Doctors meeting at the National Hospital, Phnom Penh. This event is part of the company's many educational symposiums to ultimately help improve the overall care provided to patients. Over 250 clinicians attended the meetingv
Latest technology innovations and applications on Computed Tomography (CT) and Ultrasound were highlighted during the talk.
GE Healthcare has a wide breadth of Ultrasound solutions, with a case area portfolio ranging from Women's Healthcare to Cardiology. GE Ultrasound technology has also provided significantly differentiated product depth to meet diversified global customer needs, from LOGIQ E9, GE's best selling Premium console for Gastroenterology/Radiology, to Vscan, the latest palm-sized "take a look" scanning tool for Primary care.
Medical imaging technologies -- including CT scans and Ultrasound -- have grown exponentially in recent decades and are now fundamental to quality healthcare in Cambodia and beyond. Millions of lives have been saved and millions more dramatically improved as a result of these imaging technologies. From emergency rooms to family doctors, medical imaging like CT and Ultrasound allow physicians to quickly and accurately identify, monitor and treat cancer, heart disease, brain disorders, cardiovascular conditions and many other serious diseases.
In fact, a recent study by Columbia University Professor of Business Frank Lichtenberg and based on data from the National Cancer Institute and Thomson Medstat, found that medical imaging innovation accounted for 40% of the decline in cancer deaths in the US over roughly the last decade, while CT imaging has been called one of the most significant advances in the history of healthcare.
CT, which is routinely used for cardiac screening, is especially applicable for a country like Cambodia, where heart and cerebrovascular diseases are among the top 10 contributors of morbidity. So while CT imaging, as opposed to Ultrasound, makes use of minute amounts of medical radiation, in most all cases the benefits of CT largely outweigh the risks -- and patient safety continues to be the primary concern of GE Healthcare.
"For decades, GE Healthcare has invested in leading, state of the art technology for significantly lowering dose in CT procedures," explained Shinya Kinuta, General Manager, CT, GE Healthcare Asia Pacific.
In fact, for two decades GE has helped radiologists improve image quality while lowering medical radiation dose -- using cutting-edge systems like the Discovery CT750 HD to produce high quality images with 40-50% less dose than a few years ago, and up to 83% less dose in some cardiac studies.
To date, GE's high-end CT is installed at the International University at the capital, with another system soon to be installed in a private hospital also in Phnom Penh. These CTs are applicable for cardiac imaging.
"We see great potential locally for GE's Optima CT660," added Mr. Kinuta. "The new system is an all-round CT device that can be used with all applications that generate extremely lower doses of radiation. Moreover, Optima CT660 is economical with electricity, lowering energy consumption by up to 60% in comparison to previous generations of equipment and is significantly cost-effective."
Optima CT660 is capable of lowering X-ray radiation exposure by up to 40% in comparison to conventional rear projection, and has a very small footprint of just 18 m2, making it ideal for urban health facilities where space is scare.
Dr. Say Sengly, director of Khmer-Soviet Friendship Hospital, said "The 15th of Medico-Surgical Symposium & 2nd of Medical Day Care are very important for medical doctors and staff to get deeper understanding of and learn more about new advanced technical treatment and care techniques, which have been practiced in the hospital. With GE's cooperation and participation, the doctors are able to learn about the latest technology and best practices that GE is able to bring in and share among the doctors."
GE in Cambodia
In Cambodia, a country with a population of over 13 MM people and an annual population growth rate of 1.9%, life expectancy is only 52 years. 80.5% live in rural areas, with 35% living below the poverty line. HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and diarhoeal diseases remain the number 1 and 2 killers in Cambodia.
GE serves customers in more than 100 countries and has launched its presence in Cambodia in July 2007. Since then, GE in Cambodia has been continuously building its network base while developing partnerships with private and public sectors. GE businesses that have started to become active in Cambodia are GE Healthcare, GE Industrial and GE Home and Business Solutions.
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About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) is an advanced technology, services and finance company taking on the world's toughest challenges. Dedicated to innovation in energy, health, transportation and infrastructure, GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs about 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's website at www.ge.com.
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 around the world. Headquartered in the United Kingdom, GE Healthcare is a unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE). Worldwide, GE Healthcare employees are 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.
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Jessica Blas
GE Corporate Manager - Communications
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Jiak Woen Khor
GE Corporate Manager - Communications
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