GE Healthcare Collaborates with Indian Companies for Affordable Medical Devices

GE HealthCare is actively collaborating with Indian entities to develop and manufacture affordable medical devices, aligning with India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative to boost local production and innovation.

Key Collaborations and Investments:

1. Partnership with Boston Scientific:
   • In August 2022, Wipro GE HealthCare partnered with Boston Scientific to provide comprehensive interventional cardiac care solutions in India. This collaboration combines Boston Scientific’s advanced medical devices with GE HealthCare’s imaging systems, such as cardiac catheterization labs, to enhance diagnostics and treatment in cardiology.
2. Establishment of Medical Device Manufacturing Facility:
   • In March 2022, Wipro GE HealthCare inaugurated a new 35,000 sq. ft. manufacturing plant in Bengaluru. With an investment exceeding ₹100 crore, this facility produces CT machines, cath lab equipment, ultrasound scanners, patient monitoring solutions, ECG machines, and ventilators. The plant operates 24/7 and is equipped with automated testers to ensure device performance, supporting the ‘Vocal for Local’ movement by sourcing the majority of fixtures and tools locally.
3. Investment in Local Manufacturing and R&D:
   • In March 2024, Wipro GE HealthCare announced plans to invest over ₹8,000 crore in India over the next five years. This investment aims to enhance local manufacturing and research and development capabilities, with ‘Made in India’ products like the PET CT Discovery IQ scanner being exported to 15 countries. The initiative underscores the company’s commitment to making India a global MedTech innovation and manufacturing hub.
4. Collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc):
   • In January 2024, Wipro GE HealthCare signed a Memorandum of Understanding with IISc to advance healthcare innovation, research, and technology development in India. This partnership focuses on co-developing solutions, validating technologies, and manufacturing them locally, particularly targeting non-communicable diseases such as cancer, cardiology, and neurology.

Impact on Affordable Healthcare:

These strategic collaborations and investments are designed to:

• Enhance Accessibility: By manufacturing medical devices locally, GE HealthCare aims to reduce costs and improve accessibility for patients across India.
• Promote Innovation: Partnerships with institutions like IISc foster innovation tailored to India’s specific healthcare needs, leading to the development of cost-effective medical technologies.
• Strengthen Healthcare Infrastructure: Investing in local manufacturing facilities and R&D centers contributes to building a robust healthcare infrastructure capable of meeting both domestic and global demands.

Through these initiatives, GE HealthCare is playing a pivotal role in transforming India’s medical device industry, making quality healthcare more affordable and accessible to the broader population.