Global conglomerate GE has informed that its healthcare's life sciences, medical diagnostics business units and X-ray manufacturing plants will be merged into Wipro GE Healthcare to drive growth.

Both partners' claim that the move would help the $17-billion healthcare unit of GE achieve effective management, resource mobilization and higher growth, using Wipro GE Healthcare's wide distribution network.

With this amalgamation, Wipro GE Healthcare's staff strength will increase to 2,000, and V Raja, managing director of Wipro GE Healthcare, will head the integrated company. IT major Wipro will hold 49% stake in the joint venture while balance 51% remain with GE.

However, both companies declined to disclose financial details of the deal.

Commenting on latest development, Jeffrey Immelt, chairman and CEO, GE said, "The move to integrate our healthcare businesses in India will simplify the structure and improve services to the customers."

Market analysts believe that the amalgamation of businesses under a single entity will allow GE to get a improved foothold in the $3-billion Indian market for medical devices, growing at 12-13% a year.

A company official, who did not want to be identified, has informed that the company has plans to launch new products in the local market, which include products, such as baby warmers and incubators, cardiology products and equipment to diagnose neurological disorders.