GE Healthcare's Voluson E8 at Cairo Fetal Medicine (CAIFM); donated system to deliver ground-breaking diagnostic tools

In recognizing the efforts of this leading educational institute in Cairo to raise the levels of maternal-infant care, GE Healthcare, the healthcare business of global technology, media and financial services company, General Electric Company (GE), donated to CAIFM a Voluson E8 ultrasound imaging system with early diagnostic tools for women's healthcare. The donation took place during the clinical demonstrations session for 40 OB-GYN (Obstetrics and Gynecology) candidates attending a practical course on Obstetrics and Gynecology ultrasound.

CAIFM is a specialized Fetal Medicine Unit headed by Dr Mohamed Momtaz that aims to establish a center for fetal medicine education, training and research for doctors in the faculty, university and teaching hospitals in Egypt and other countries in the region.

"On behalf of the Cairo Fetal Medicine Unit, I would like to thank GE Healthcare for their donation for educational purposes. This week's four-day advanced ultrasound training session is important, as fetal medicine is a relatively new subspecialty in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The practice of fetal medicine has major implications, not only for the individual family, but also for society as a whole," said Dr Mohamed Momtaz, Director of the Fetal Medicine Unit, Kasr Al Aini Faculty of Medicine, Cairo, Egypt.

The simplification of the technical aspects of a fetal ultrasound exam with GE Healthcare's new technology, called the Voluson E8, is expected to enhance the ability of detecting fetal heart abnormalities and also aid in the standardization of fetal heart images. A very popular feature of the Voluson series has been its optional 4D imaging capabilities. The E8 also includes new tools designed to improve the clinical workflow. The most significant tool is the Sonography-based Volume Computer Aided Diagnosis (SonoVCAD). This imaging tool will make it easier to acquire volume images of the fetal heart.

"We are pleased to participate in this event and recognize the efforts that Dr Momtaz and his team are doing to raise the level of maternal-infant care in this country, " said Heinz Gloor, Vice President and General Manager, Ultrasound & Primary Care Diagnostics business for Europe, Middle East & Africa at GE Healthcare, adding "The Voluson E8 is the latest example of ultrasound's potential to unlock the future of advanced imaging by helping detect disease early when it can be more effectively treated. The Voluson E8 provides a new way to perform easier, faster and more comfortable ultrasound exams."

In commenting on the relevance of the four-day training session, Dr Momtaz said, "In introducing structured training in Fetal Medicine we aim to build on the existing sub-specialization programs and raise training standards. We also intend to establish a network with international centers undertaking collaborative research and promoting standards in clinical practice through the exchange of ideas and experiences. Until now, there have been no training programs for sub-specialization in fetal medicine. However, the training and certification are not intended to replace existing certification mechanisms in the country."