GE Healthcare Korea recently announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Fertility Medicine Research Center at Daegu Miracle Women’s Hospital. The agreement, finalized on Tuesday, aims to enhance infertility treatment through advanced ultrasound technology.
The collaboration will focus on establishing a precision imaging-based environment for infertility treatment and improving clinical care standards.
The signing ceremony was attended by key figures from both organizations. Representatives from GE Healthcare included Hong Hyun-ki, Chief Exexcutive Officer (CEO) of Ace Medicare (GE Healthcare’s ultrasound distributor); Jang Han-i, Director of the ultrasound division; Go Kyung-woo, Manager of the Women’s Ultrasound Division; and Han Jin-hee, Senior Executive of Communications. Miracle Women’s Hospital was represented by Park Dong-soo, Hospital Director; Kim Eun-young, Head of Radiology; Koo Eun-kyung, Manager of the Outpatient Nursing Team; and Lee Ji-hye, Manager of the Management Support Team.
This partnership aims to maximize the clinical application of GE Healthcare equipment and bolster infertility treatment capabilities.
As part of the agreement, GE Healthcare will designate Miracle Women’s Hospital as a partner hospital and regional reference site. The company will provide priority support for equipment operation and clinical use, along with ongoing clinical training on cutting-edge techniques and protocols.
In turn, Miracle Women’s Hospital will serve as a regional hub, sharing clinical cases and facilitating site visits for potential GE Healthcare customers. The hospital will also actively provide clinical feedback on products and services.
The infertility market in South Korea has seen significant growth, reaching approximately 1 trillion KRW (about 675 million USD) in 2023. With increased government support for infertility treatments starting in 2025, demand for these services and assisted reproductive technology (ART) is expected to continue rising.
In light of this trend, medical professionals are emphasizing the accuracy and safety of oocyte retrieval (OVA pickup) as crucial factors in successful infertility procedures.
Dr. Park Dong-soo, Director of Miracle Women’s Hospital, expressed optimism about the collaboration, stating that by combining GE Healthcare’s advanced imaging technology with the clinical expertise, it anticipates creating a more precise and safer environment for infertility treatment.
Kim Yong-deok, CEO of GE Healthcare Korea, highlighted the societal importance of addressing infertility, noting that South Korea’s birth rate is projected to hit a record low of 0.75 in 2024. He emphasized that the partnership with Miracle Women’s Hospital, a leader in infertility treatments, is particularly significant. As a global pioneer in ultrasound technology, we are committed to supporting the hospital in integrating clinical experiences and feedback into the innovations, ultimately contributing to improved childbirth environments and addressing this critical social challenge.