GE Healthcare signs MoU with Saudi German Hospitals Group

In response to the strong demand for affordable, quality and readily available medical services within the Africa continent, GE Healthcare, the $17bn healthcare and life sciences solutions business of global major General Electric Company (GE), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Saudi German Hospitals Group (SGH), to provide diagnostic imaging equipment for not-for-profit hospitals in the Middle East and Africa region.

Plans are that these 5,000 square meter sized not-for-profit hospitals will have 50 beds each, to be located in remote areas in Africa and the Middle East. The vision is that these sites will provide more affordable, reliable and more accessible primary healthcare services to larger segments of society.

Eng. Sobhi Batterjee, President & CEO, Saudi German Hospitals Group explained, "The core success for the not-for-profit hospital model is based on delivering quality healthcare services for the needy, underserved segment of the population. In return, a subsidized user's fee will secure the long term sustainability of each hospital as an independent entity, with no burden added on the selected countries for healthcare expenditures."

SGH's contribution is to design, construct, equip, operate, and co-finance these hospitals. GE Healthcare's involvement is the donation of some of the necessary diagnostic imaging equipment including X-ray machines, ECG monitors, and ultrasound devices.

Isam Moursy, General Manager at GE Healthcare for the Middle East region added, "Together, we're developing innovative healthcare solutions to help address some of today's most pressing healthcare issues such as improving access to quality care in rural communities and developing regions of the world and, in developed regions, shifting to an 'early health' model of care. We are aware that minimal modifications might be implemented on the standard not-for-profit hospital design, subject to a specific healthcare needs existing within any of the selected countries."

Engr. Batterjee noted that "recognizing the core competence of the group, it has already received requests from many governments in the Middle East and African countries to help support them in setting up quality medical facilities in their nations."

"Moreover for such a worthy cause, the participation of other business partners would certainly promote the development of these not-for-profit hospitals, helping us to bridge the access to healthcare delivery. We are delighted that SGH Group shares our vision," added Moursy.