No big slowdown in healthcare demand in India: G E Healthcare

Despite some pressures on the global healthcare market as a result of the economic downturn, there has not been much pressure on the Indian market, a top GE healthcare official said.     

"Though global health saw some pressures due to the recession, not much pressure was seen on the Indian market. I do not see any big slowdown" V Raja, President & CEO, GE Healthcare South Asia, told reporters here today.      

"I do not see any sluggishness in demand in India market. Government continues to buy, tenders continue to float. Challenge however is a little more in financing", he said.      

"While I do not see major slowdown, I do see challenges. If there is more depreciation of the rupee, how can you keep the costs down", Raja said.       

GE Healthcare which clocked a revenue of half a billion dollars in 2008 is looking at a "double digit growth" this year, he said.