HANOI, VIETNAM---August 24, 2012---General Electric (NYSE: GE) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Health (MoH) in Vietnam, marking the start of a collaborative journey to increase access to quality healthcare across the country and lower healthcare costs.
GE Chairman and Chief Executive Jeffrey Immelt and The Minister of Health for Vietnam Madam Nguyen Thi Kim Tien witnessed the signing in Hanoi. The Vice Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long signed on behalf of the government. GE was represented by Akihiko Kumagai, President & CEO, GE Healthcare Asia Pacific.
Under the MoU, GE will work closely with the Ministry of Health to cooperate on a study to assess the feasibility of local manufacturing of medical devices for the domestic market and the factors necessary to attract large-scale investments. Both parties will also work together to offer training and employment opportunities for Vietnamese doctors and medical staff.
Minister of Health, Madam Nguyen Thi Kim Tien said, "Today's partnership with GE in an effort to launch the local assembly and manufacture of medical devices will equip Vietnam with modern healthcare technology, increase accessibility to higher standard medical care at lower cost, especially in the rural areas. Through this partnership, GE will also coordinate in providing training opportunities, handling over technologies and creating employment when the local manufacturing facility in Vietnam comes into operation."
The MOU is part of GE's "In-country, For-country" (ICFC) initiative, which focuses on improving local innovation and building products, resources and technology for local needs. The goal is to develop products that are tailored specifically to a country's environment.
"ICFC projects have been successfully implemented by GE all over the world," said Akihiko Kumagai, President & CEO, GE Healthcare Asia Pacific. "We have great examples of how we have worked with governments to change the healthcare landscape and ensure better standards. In 2010, we started a similar project in Brazil to manufacture X-ray and mammography equipment. That project now provides employment for over 700 people with significant improvements in productivity."
During his visit, Jeffrey R. Immelt met with Vietnam President Truong Tan Sang, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and GE business partners such as PetroVietnam and Vietnam Airlines.
About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter. The best people and the best technology taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For more information, visit the company's website at www.ge.com.
About GE in Vietnam
GE was one of the first American companies established in Vietnam during 1993 even before the US Embargo was lifted. GE first set up a representative office in Hanoi in 1993, and subsequently in HCM City in 2001, working in partnership with local organizations. In 2003, GE established GE Vietnam Ltd, a 100% GE capital investment that offers a wide range of after-sales services in the fields of medical, electrical and energy equipment.
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.
For more information, contact:
Trinh Phuong Lan
GE Vietnam
+84973183750
[email protected]
Do Lien Yen Ly
T&A Ogilvy Vietnam
+84906262239
[email protected]
Trinh Phuong Lan
[email protected]