BANGALORE: GE Healthcare, Bangalore and HealthCare Global Enterprises announced a tie-up here on Thursday to address the growing cancer diagnosis and treatment sector in India. GE Healthcare is providing advanced FDA compliant molecular imaging and scanning equipment that can reduce the cost of cancer treatment and help the 77 per cent of all cancer patients who now cannot access treatment in early stages, GE Healthcare President and CEO, V. Raja told reporters. The cost of cancer treatment in India, at private and government hospitals is estimated at $1.2 billion annually on the basis of three million diagnosed cases.

"WHO studies indicate increasing numbers of cancer and cardiac disorders, especially among younger persons, molecular imaging can detect diseases at a much earlier stage and in combination with specific biomarkers, help doctors pinpoint the site of early stage cancers and choose the right treatment and increase chances of a cure," said Ajai Kumar, Chairman, HealthCare Global Enterprises.

Besides the first operational Molecular Imaging Centre functioning in Bangalore, Healthcare Global is investing over $84 million over five years to expand its treatment centres and helping speciality hospitals.

Besides a centre of excellence in Delhi, another one will come up in Chennai within a year.

The hospitals helped by it acquire diagnostic equipment from GE Healthcare include those in Bangalore and in Tiruchi and Erode in Tamil Nadu, Dr. Ajai Kumar said.

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