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GE Healthcare to highlight advanced breast cancer diagnostic technologies at first dedicated 'Breast Imaging Conference & Workshop' in Saudi Arabia

Hands-on workshops for healthcare practitioners on GE 's new mammography equipment

GE Healthcare to emphasize on its healthymagination initiative to provide more access to better care at lower costs
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; May 1, 2011: GE Healthcare, (NYSE: GE ), will highlight its advanced breast cancer diagnostic technologies to support Saudi Arabia's concerted efforts to address the growing incidence of the disease at the first dedicated 'Breast Imaging Conference & Workshop' in the Kingdom to be held from May 1 to 3, 2011, at the Makarim Hall, Riyadh Marriott Hotel.

Organised by the Medical imaging Department in King Abdulaziz Medical City, National Guard and Postgraduate Education of King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, the conference aims to provide a comprehensive review and update on breast imaging technologies. Several hands-on training sessions will be conducted by international experts on the newest technologies, with GE Healthcare to showcase its dedicated mammography and ultrasound portfolio.

A key highlight of the conference is an awareness night that will put the spotlight on the importance of early detection in the fight against breast cancer to be held on May 2 from 8pm. The programme will feature high profile speakers including Dr Fatina Mohamed Al Tahan, Consultant Breast Radiologist, King Abdulaziz Medical City and Medical Director of the first National Cancer Screening Center.

Majid Kaddoumi, Country General Manager, GE Elseif Healthcare, Saudi Arabia said: "Breast cancer is emerging as one of the leading cases of mortality in the Middle East region, and medical experts observe that with the growth of the population in Saudi Arabia, cancer rates are set to increase considerably. To address this challenge, it is important to undertake collaborative efforts with a focus on early diagnosis."

He added: " GE has been underscoring the importance of an earlier model of healthcare where the emphasis is on earlier diagnosis for potentially more effective treatment. This is also the essence of our healthymagination approach, where we work towards enhancing access for quality healthcare at lower costs. Through our participation at the Breast Imaging Conference & Workshop, we are underscoring our partnerships with the government and NGOs to address the pressing challenge of breast cancer, and strengthen awareness of the modern technologies that enable tangible action."

Dr. Fatina Al Tahan, Chairperson of the Organizing Committee of the workshop, said: "This conference is designed to provide a comprehensive review and update of established breast imaging modalities and the new advances in state-of-the-art techniques. The workshop will highlight the emerging trends, and evaluate the challenges in addressing the rising concern of breast cancer in the Kingdom."

She added: "Through the workshop and the special awareness night, we hope to encourage more Saudi women to undertake early breast cancer screening. We are thankful to GE for their support towards the event, and in showcasing the new technologies which will significantly help in enhancing the diagnostic efficiencies of our healthcare professionals."

The workshops will discuss topics including guidelines for breast cancer screening, the Saudi experience, breast MRI imaging, breast biopsies, the role of pathologists and oncologists, role of breast ultrasound and follow-up procedures.

Among the technologies to be showcased by GE is its portfolio of digital mammography technology, which helps medical practitioners to come even closer to the essence of early detection and fight against breast cancer. The digital solutions assist customers from screening to interventional, enabling faster detection rate, seamless workflow and best image quality. Due to the smaller image size, it also helps achieve lower costs.

With over 10,000 GE healthcare technologies serving nearly 90% hospitals, GE has a strong presence in the Kingdom. The company has been working closely with the Ministry of Health (MoH) to help build a sustainable healthcare model under healthymagination.

In order to help hospitals under the MoH offer the highest technological quality of care, GE Healthcare has trained more than 1,300 MoH healthcare professionals. GE has also helped transform the operation rooms of eight MoH hospitals and six Nation Guard Health Affairs Departments through tools and methodologies that are all aimed to enhance operational efficiencies.

GE Healthcare has also invested in a strategic country service support center in Riyadh that is strongly supported by experienced local service & technical support teams resulting in quicker customer response times, thereby minimizing equipment downtime.

GE has been associated with Saudi Arabia for many decades. With more than 800 employees in the Kingdom, GE has expanded its presence through public-private partnerships and a strong footprint of facilities in service repair support and customer training centers in oil & gas, energy, water, aviation and healthcare, which serve the region.

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About GE Healthcare:
GE Healthcare provides transformational medical technologies and services that are shaping a new age of patient care. Our broad expertise in medical imaging and information technologies, medical diagnostics, patient monitoring systems, drug discovery, biopharmaceutical manufacturing technologies, performance improvement and performance solutions services help our customers to deliver better care to more people around the world at a lower cost. In addition, we partner with healthcare leaders, striving to leverage the global policy change necessary to implement a successful shift to sustainable healthcare systems.

Our "healthymagination" vision for the future invites the world to join us on our journey as we continuously develop innovations focused on reducing costs, increasing access and improving quality around the world. Headquartered in the United Kingdom, GE Healthcare is a unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE ). Worldwide, GE Healthcare employees are committed to serving healthcare professionals and their patients in more than 100 countries.

For more information about GE Healthcare, visit our website at www.gehealthcare.com. For our latest news, please visit http://newsroom.gehealthcare.com/http://newsroom.gehealthcare.com.

For more information, please contact:
Caroline Wehbeh
GE Media Relations Manager, Middle East & North Africa
Tel: +9714 4296318
Caroline.wehbeh@ge.com

Kelly Home/ Nivine William
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller
Tel: +9714 334 4550
k.home@asdaa.com / n.william@asdaa.com

© Press Release 2011