Chandrashekhar Sibal, EVP & Head Medical Division, Fujifilm India

FujiFilm is the one of the pioneer in the Indian Radiology Market. What are the strategies of the company for India?
Fujifilm, we are continuously innovating, creating new technologies, product and services and depending on the market demand we will be introducing new products. We are introducing Endoscopy, Bronchoscopy and new DR machines which would help in early detection of cancer.
We are concentrating more on customer service by increasing our manpower and service centres.

Please elaborate the Journey of Fujifilm from film making to healthcare since inception?
Fujifilm was established in 1934 with the aim of producing photographic films. Over the decades the company has diversified into new markets and built a strong presence around the globe. In the year 2000, when the wave of digitalization led to the decline of film demand, Fujifilm considered this to be an opportunity instead of a crisis. In response to this, Fujifilm HQ implemented management reforms aimed at effecting drastic transformation of its business structures. The company utilized its core technologies and diversified to form six new business fields: “Healthcare”, “Highly Functional Materials, “Document Solutions”, “Graphic Arts”, “Optical Devices” and “Digital Imaging”. While most film manufacturers recognized this fundamental change, Fujifilm adapted to this shift much more successfully and its diversification efforts also succeeded.
Fujifilm has leveraged its imaging and information technology to become a global presence known for innovation in healthcare, photo imaging, graphic arts, recording media, industrial products, optical devices, highly functional materials and other high-tech areas. The Company is continuously innovating-creating new technologies, products and services that inspire and excite people everywhere. Their goal is to empower the potential and expand the horizons of tomorrow’s businesses and lifestyles.

Please describe the latest innovations of Fujifilm into breast Cancer? How Fujifilm is contributing in detection of breast cancer in India?
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in females worldwide and India is not an exception. It is steadily increasing in our country. The National Cancer Registry projects that the number of breast cancer cases will rise from 1.34 lakh in 2015 to 1.79 lakh by 2020. It is estimated that 1 in 28 women is likely to develop breast cancer during her lifetime, with the incidence rising in the early thirties and peaking at ages 50-64 years. With an annual incidence of approximately 1,44,000new cases, breast cancer has now become the most common female cancer in urban India.
According to experts, most of the cases in India are diagnosed very late resulting low survival rates. The World Health Organisation estimates that more than 60% of the women in India were diagnosed with breast cancer at stage III or IV. Lack of awareness of cancer and screening for disease are significant contributory factors for the relatively late stage of the disease presentation and consequently low reported cancer incidences in India.
Fujifilm India Pvt Ltd, a pioneer in the development and application of imaging and information innovations to healthcare technologies, had partnered with different institutes all over India for the installation of its 50 Micron 3D Mammography machine – a highly advanced breast cancer diagnostic machine that has made early detection of breast cancer a reality for women. Fujifilm’s advanced tomosynthesis technology reveals the internal structure of the breast thus simplifying the detection of lesions that gets overlooked in a routine mammography.
FFIN conducted a symposium in Delhi with Batra Hospital, Mumbai with NM Medical Center, Chennai with SRMC and Kolkata with Peerless Hospital followed by press conference to generate the awareness about the cause.
In our continues effort to generate awareness about this noble cause, we have tied up with PINKATHON (women Marathon) as a “Wellness Partner” and educate the women of the country that how early detection saves life.
We are installing mammography units in mobile vans to generate the awareness to the masses and screening women with potential risk of breast related diseases, one such example is Indian Cancer Institute at Delhi.
To generate the awareness we also conduct patient awareness programs in association with hospitals like Tata Memorial Centre ACTREC , NM medical Mumbai, Action Balaji cancer hospital Delhi, SRMC Chennai, Shankra Cancer Hospital Bangalore.

Please let us know your merger & acquisition of Sonosite and the focus on point of care ultrasound machines?
FUJIFILM SonoSite, Inc., the innovator and world leader in bedside and point-of-care ultrasound and an industry leader in ultra-high-frequency micro-ultrasound technology, delivers solutions that meet imaging needs of the medical community.
In March 2012, US based SonoSite became a wholly owned subsidiary of FujiFilm Holdings corporation. Since its inception, SonoSite’s lightweight, robust products have created and led the point-of-care ultrasound market. From sophisticated urban hospital emergency departments to clinics in austere, remote villages, SonoSite systems are used by over 21 medical specialties and provide clinicians around the world with a cost-effective tool for improving patient safety and workflow efficiency.
Currently, SonoSite has in excess of 145 patents and holds a number of prestigious design awards. It continues to be the world leader in point-of-care ultrasound.
SonoSite’s compact systems are expanding the use of ultrasound across the clinical spectrum by cost-effectively bringing high-performance ultrasound to the point of patient care.

Any plan to launch your new Products at AOCR 2018?
Fujifilm India is planning to launch new DR System in association with local X-Ray manufacturer. This floor mounted DR system would be in two variants 15 KW and 30 KW with high frequency generator. With features like low x-ray radiation with high quality images, this system is very easy to use and install with improved workflow.