Wipro GE to consolidate healthcare biz

Three standalone GE healthcare subsidiaries will be integrated with Wipro GE Healthcare.

The 19-year-old partnership of India's leading IT company Wipro Ltd with global medical technology major GE Healthcare has entered a new phase with Wipro GE Healthcare, a GE-Wipro joint venture, becoming the single entity for the entire business of GE Healthcare in the country.

Three standalone GE healthcare subsidiaries — GE Healthcare Life Sciences, GE Healthcare Medical Diagnostics and GE Medical Systems India — would be integrated with Wipro GE Healthcare, GE has announced. The integrated entity will have 1,200 employees and will be headed by V Raja, president and CEO, Wipro GE Healthcare.

Terming the deal as the next step for GE's successful partnership with Wipro in India, John Dineen, president & CEO, GE Healthcare, said the new company structure would simplify its operations and improve service for its customers.

"It has the potential to accelerate the introduction of more cost-effective, affordable and quality healthcare solutions in South Asia," Dineen said. Wipro GE Healthcare distributes approximately 85 per cent of GE Healthcare's products and solutions in India. Of the GE Healthcare business units that would be integrated into Wipro GE Healthcare, its life sciences and medical diagnostics business units distribute products outside of Wipro GE Healthcare.

GE Medical Systems India manufactures X-ray products and certain other diagnostic imaging products and accessories for export to GE Healthcare worldwide. When this integration is completed, Wipro GE Healthcare would be the exclusive vehicle for GE Healthcare's activities in India.

"GE has been our valued partner since 1990. We have defined many growth stories in the healthcare sector in South Asia. This consolidation under Wipro GE Healthcare further strengthens this relationship. We hope to bring world-class healthcare to South Asia by providing best-in-class solutions" said Azim Premji, chairman, Wipro.