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Getty 919960788 1540
Getty 919960788 1540
Getty 919960788 1540
Getty 919960788 1540
Getty 919960788 1540

GE to Increase Medical Equipment Production

March 19, 2020
GE Healthcare division will add manufacturing lines and increase employment to address global need for CTs, ultrasound devices, mobile X-ray systems, patient monitors and ventilators.

General Electric's GE Healthcare business is increasing production capacity and output of medical equipment in the effort to meet expanding demand as a result of the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic. “To help address this global challenge, we have increased our manufacturing capacity and output of equipment," stated  GE Healthcare president and CEO Kieran Murphy, "including CTs, ultrasound devices, mobile X-ray systems, patient monitors and ventilators – important in the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 patients, while taking steps to ensure safe operations for our employees."

Relatedly, Reuters reported that General Motors and Ford Motor Co. are discussing with the White House how the automakers might shift idled production lines to manufacture ventilators and other medical equipment to help ease the expected shortage of resources. GM and Ford, as well as Fiat Chrysler, have closed their U.S. factories in the effort to minimize the risk of infection to workers.

Pointing to “unprecedented demand for medical equipment, including ventilators," GE Healthcare's Murphy said his unit would add manufacturing lines to ventilator production and increase the number of shifts, to produce around the clock.

Also the business committed to hire manufacturing employees and shift current employees to support increased demand, immediately.

GE Healthcare also will take steps to manage its supply chain by working with suppliers to mitigate shortages and minimize impact on customers around the world.

And, it will make partnering efforts with global regulators and use its clinical and technical expertise to address customers' questions.

Lastly, the GE unit committed to monitor the health of its field-service engineers and provide personal protective equipment for them when servicing devices, while increasing remote diagnostic and repair capabilities.

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