ge and skewed sex ratio

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