Indonesian portable ultrasound aimed at equipping GPs to help lower maternal mortality rates
Jakarta, Indonesia -- September 25, 2012 -- GE Healthcare, a unit of General Electric Company (NYSE:GE), today launched the Vscan version 1.3 (Vscan 1.3), a handheld, pocket-sized ultrasound device adapted locally with a user interface in Bahasa Indonesia for use by medical general practitioners (GPs).
GE Vice-Chairman John G.Rice launched the latest GE innovation in Jakarta today. The Expert Staff for Coordinating Ministry of People's Welfare on MDGs, Dr. Rachmat Sentika, SpA MARs, was present at the launch attended by Ministry of Health representatives and the healthcare community.
Vscan 1.3 is packaged as an affordable alternative, with attractive financing options by local financial institution Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) for GPs. This is aligned with GE's healthymagination initiative, addressing cost, quality, and access challenges in healthcare.
Ultrasound technology enables the GP to take a non-invasive look inside the body for immediate visualization of what he or she feels or hears. With more information at the point of care, the GP is able to determine the optimized course of treatment and provide fast, efficient and personalized care.
Despite the benefits that ultrasound technology can bring, less than 2 percent of total GPs nationally are equipped with ultrasound technology in their practice. From a research study commissioned in Indonesia by GE Healthcare in 2012, up to 25 percent of total monthly GP patients would require an ultrasound scan.
Speaking at the launch, John Rice said, "It is a milestone development for GE in ASEAN as we are unveiling what we call in the GE world an imagination breakthrough product that has been manufactured specifically for the Indonesian market. It is a great story of how we used reverse innovation, working backwards from a customer need in emerging markets and using our resources, global and local expertise to invent a medical solution to match that need. "
"Today we are unveiling a product that is fulfilling a healthcare need for rural areas and helping national efforts to lower maternal infant mortality rates, he added.
"We know GPs require ultrasound technology for obstetrics and gynaecology applications as well as abdominal and gastroenterology applications, to name a few," cited David Utama, CEO and President, GE Healthcare ASEAN. "By identifying high-risk pregnancies early, GPs using the Vscan have an opportunity to improve the referral process to help save more mothers and newborns in Indonesia."
Lowering the maternal mortality rate (MMR) remains a challenge in Indonesia, with the country having one of the highest rates in the Asia Pacific. According to Indonesian Health Ministry data, Indonesia's MMR in 2010 was 220 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births. This is compared to the ideal MMR of 10 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births according to World Health Organization statistics.
Prof. Dr. Nila F. Moeloek, the Special Envoy to the President of Indonesia on Millennium Development Goals (MDG), commented, "We are heartened to see the growing commitment from the private sector in Indonesia to work in close collaboration with every stakeholder, to reduce development gaps that still exist in Indonesia. Innovation and close collaboration across different sectors are key elements in our efforts to achieve MDG."
"Indonesia needs advanced technology to support primary care at Puskesmas and in any other touch points of healthcare service across the country; and to be able to identify disease at an early stage and recommend the right treatment for patients. A higher quality of health will lead to better welfare for Indonesians as a whole," added Dr. Rachmat Sentika, SpA MARs, the Expert Staff for Coordinating Ministry of People's Welfare on MDGs.
With the V-scan solution, GE Healthcare has made it easier for GPs to purchase and operate their own ultrasound device. The Vscan enables healthcare providers globally to differentiate themselves and help improve patient outcomes. Post the launch. GE Healthcare will be offering live demos across major cities in Indonesia for healthcare providers to have a better understanding of the benefits associated with pocket sized ultrasounds.
Until Ocotber 31, 2012, GPs may purchase a Vscan 1.3 is offered with a 12-month interest free financing package from BNI at a promotional monthly instalment of IDR 3.4MM excluding VAT (equivalent to US$360 per month). Thereafter, the standard monthly instalment will be at IDR3.96 MM excluding VAT (based on a 12 month interest free financing package offered by BNI). Direct purchase from GE are available as well at promo price of US$4,325 excluding VAT.
To find out more about Vscan, please visit www.gehealthcare.com.sg/Vscan.
Notes:
- About MDG 5. MDG was introduced in United Nations Millennium Summit in 2000. The MDG consist of 8 goals, which is a milestone for international cooperation in improving health and development of millions of people around the world that should be achieved in 2015. Three goals were directly related to health, which are MDG 4, reducing infant mortality, MDG 5, reduce maternal mortality and MDG 6, combating against HIV/AIDS, malaria and other infectious diseases. Ten years after the MDG were declared, progress has been shown by many countries. Maternal mortality, however, is the slowest of the indicators improved by many countries in developing regions and remains the greatest challenge. Indonesia's target for MDG 5 is to reduce three quarters of the maternal mortality ratio (MMR), from 390 (1994) to 110 (2015). The MMR is recorded at 228 per 100.000 live births in 2007 (UNDP 2007).
- About GE Healthcare's healthymagination initiative. The programme, which GE has committed $6 billion to, aims to provide better healthcare through innovation that lowers costs, increases access to care and improves the quality of the healthcare itself. The new imaging equipment is part of the programme and comes with features that maximize patient throughput and staff productivity. The"healthymagination"initiative was started only 2 years ago but significant progress has already been made by governments, NGOs and medical professionals to advance healthcare in both developed and developing markets.
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 $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
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