Heart disease is an affliction of the rich and poor alike. A recent survey in Bangladesh showed hypertension, ischaemic and rheumatic heart disease prevailing at 15-20%, 10% and 0.75% respectively among the adult population. The National Heart Foundation (NHF) of Bangladesh was formed on October 12, 1978 to alleviate this situation. It is a non-profit NGO, registered with the World Heart Foundation and supported by the Government. Planned as a 300-bed hospital, the first 100 beds were commissioned by the Prime Minister, Mrs. Sheikh Hasina on April 24, 2000. 30% of these beds are free.

The Heart Foundation has successfully completed over 5000 cases with a leading team of Cardiologists consisting of Prof. Dr. Sufia Rahaman, Dr. Momenuzzaman and Dr. Fazila Malik using the GE LC+ Cardiac Catheterisation Lab.

Brig. Prof. Abdul Malik (Retd.), Secretary General of NHF and one of the senior most cardiologists in Bangladesh said "Apart from Image Quality, GE's direct presence in the country and the quality and commitment of its Service Team gave us the confidence to commission GE's first Cathlab in Bangladesh.".

The GE Cathlab will soon be linked to GE's Computerized International Service Network through a dedicated ISD line for 24 hours, 365 days service uptime.

Dr. Alam, Director of NHF said that "being the first cathlab in the private sector, we have been able to cater to the patients needs by providing concessional charges and while providing world class Cardiac Care to the patients that are referred to NHF"

GE Medical Systems Bangladesh Ltd., has been growing from strength-to-strength in Bangladesh, thanks to our customers' confidence and support in GE equipment. GEMS Bangladesh has installed Cathlabs, Colour Dopplers, over 130 high end Monitors, X-Ray Systems, Mammography and B/W Ultrasound Scanners in Bangladesh. Recently the GE Vingmed System V was installed at Popular Diagnostic Centre..