GE Healthcare launches low cost X-ray system

New system can be upgraded to digital at fraction of the cost.

GE Healthcare, the $17 billion healthcare business of General Electric Company, has launched 'Tejas XR 6000', an X-ray system that can be upgraded to a digital for a low cost.

Announcing this on Wednesday, V Raja, President and CEO, South Asia said, "The new system will be manufactured at GE Healthcare's plant in Bangalore and is part of the value-added products under the 'In India, For India' programme. We are expecting to roll out several variants of the Tejas X-ray systems during 2008."

The GE Tejas XR 6000 is being made available at Rs 15 lakh, and provides conventional and future upgradeability to digital X-ray. Tejas XR 6000 can be upgraded to a digital X-ray at a fraction of the cost of digital X-ray machines available in the market today, he added.

"GE Healthcare has taken a significant step to address this need by making digital technology at substantially reduced cost. X-ray is the primary and most-widely used diagnostic imaging tool. This will help radiologists upgrade an analogue X-ray into digital X-ray for less than Rs 60 lakh," he added. A new digital X-ray machine costs between Rs 1.5-2.5 crore.

GE sees huge opportunity in India as an estimated over 60,000 X-ray systems are in use in hospitals and diagnostic centres.

However, the X-ray systems available in the Indian market are low-powered, bulky and employ old technology. The conventional X-ray system cost varies from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh, but compromises on technology, quality and radiation dose, he said.

The company is displaying the new product at the 52nd annual meeting of the Indian Radiological and Imaging Association, being held in Bangalore during January 17-20.

According to Shireesh Sahai, General Manager of 'In India, For India' programme for GE Healthcare, "GE is in a position to significantly improve the affordability of X-ray technologies as we have in-house capability to manufacture digital detectors globally, backed by a complete and capable research team and manufacturing plant in India."

Outlining the growth plan for the Indian market, Raja, said, "'Tejas' is in alignment with GE Healthcare's vision to promote the concept of 'Early Health' in India. Presently, 80 per cent of X rays that are installed in the market are conventional X-rays as digital technology is not affordable for most Indian healthcare professionals."