GE Healthcare launches new strategy for China

GE Healthcare, the medical care unit of General Electric Co, said it will launch more than 30 new technologies and products in China by 2015 and make more efforts to develop Internet-based medical solutions.

The United States-based medical equipment maker also said it will promote screening of serious diseases, such as cardiovascular illnesses, breast cancer and strokes, help hospitals enhance leadership and provide training for doctors and patients - especially those in grassroots sectors - in China in the next three years.

According to Rachel Duan, president and chief executive officer of GE Healthcare China, the moves are to focus on taking care of patients, dealing with the medical industry's challenge of reducing costs and enhancing efficiency as well as increasing the public's awareness of prevention and early-stage treatment.

"We are to further strengthen our research and development capability to develop safer and more comfortable products for patients on the base of diagnosis accuracy," she said, adding that high quality and affordability is the aim of GE Healthcare's new strategy in China.

The incidence rate of serious and chronic diseases is surging and the aging population is growing rapidly, which directly results in ever-increasing medical expenses.

The Chinese government's medical expenditure is expected to reach 260 billion yuan ($41.39 billion) this year, up 27.1 percent year-on-year.