Ultrasound Machine India, China & a skewed sex ratio Group 7
Ultrasound MachineIndia, China
&a skewed sex ratio
Group 7
Contents
I. Overview
II. Background of GE’s product misuse
III. Solutions and suggestions
I. Overview
Overview of General Electric Company GE is a services, technology and manufacturing company
operating in more than 100 countries and employs 313,000 people worldwide
The company traces its beginnings to Thomas A. Edison, who established Edison Electric Light Company in 1878
In 1892, a merger of Edison General Electric Company and Thomson-Houston Electric Company created General Electric Company
Headquarter located in United States
Revenue: 147.359 billion (2012) Employees: 305,000 (2012)
GE In India Since 1902
GE’s India Portfolio
Healthcare facilities in India
70% of the country population lived in rural areas of India, only 20% of hospitals are in rural communities and only 24% of towns in rural areas have a healthcare facility
Ultrasound Machine ?Creating images that allow various organs in the body to be examined
The machine sends out high-frequency sound waves, which reflect
off body structures
A computer receives these reflected waves and uses them to create a
picture.
The Uses Of UltrasoundDetection of fetal
defects or complications
during child birth
Evaluation of blood flow in blood vessels
Detecting kidney stones and
prostate cancer early
Identifying abnormal
structures in the heartGender
Determination
Ultrasound sales Skewed Sex ratio
Problem: Ultrasound & Skewed Sex Ratio
The Decline In Sex Ratio
"Ultrasound is the main reason why the sex ratio is coming down," says Kalpana Bhavre
Only China today has a wider gender gap, with 832 girls born for every 1,000 boys among infants aged 0 to 4 years, according to UNICEF. GE sells about three times as many ultrasound machines in China as in India
II. Background of GE’s
product misuse
In IndiaCULTURE
Dowry
VS
600 rupees 50,000 rupees
ECONOMIC FORCE
WEAK LEGAL ENFORCEMENT
2004 – Implemented the Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PNDT) Act of 1994
• 361 ultrasound scan centres were issued notices for non-compliance with the PNDT Act.
• Licences of 91 centres were cancelled.• 422 different cases against doctors accused of using ultrasounds for sex
selection.
In ChinaCULTURE (Confucianism)
Boys are better
Confucius
Daughters are like water that splashes out of the family and cannot be gotten back
after marriage(Chinese expression)
In ChinaGOVERNMENT POLICY
• One-child policy• Weak enforcement of Law on Maternal and Infant
Health Care
In ChinaBETTER ECONOMY
• Available• Easy to access
III. Solutions &
Suggestions
Why GE have to act?
Law
Why GE have to act?
Reputation
Why GE have to act?
Corporate Social Responsibility
GE’s action
• Refused to sell ultrasound technology to family planning clinics, or to sell products below a certain price.
• Advised customer through warning stickers and advertisements.
• Trained sales and marketing personnel.
In China
GE’s action
Care for Girls campaign billboards
In China
One child policy will be loosened
CRITICISM
GE’s actionIn India
• Safeguard
GE’s actionIn India
• Training program
GE’s actionIn India
• Warning stickers and posters
GE’s actionIn India
• Sponsor for a female tennis star
Suggestions
• Promote Standard Industry Practices
Suggestions
• Sponsor for TV drama
Suggestions
• Work with social activists and NGOs