ALGIERS, Algeria, March 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Varian Medical Systems (NYSE: VAR), world leader in radiotherapy systems and software for the treatment of cancer, is expanding in North Africa with the creation of a strategic operating entity in Algeria. Varian Medical Systems Algeria SPA is the result of a joint venture with Cialfarm S.A.R.L., a local healthcare specialist.
"This move represents the next step in our commitment both to the Algerian cancer program and the wider business community," said Burt Lang, Varian's managing director in Africa. "Cancer is growing rapidly in Africa and has become one of the continent's top healthcare concerns. Radiotherapy plays a vital and cost effective role in treating cancer and we are committed to making it available to more patients across the continent."
Varian Medical Systems Algeria represents a significant investment in new offices, a training and education center, a parts depot and a service center. "This partnership will focus on enhancing access to care and patient outcomes, providing clinical customers with a high level of service, and the creation of educational programs to train clinicians on the use of Varian technology to deliver advanced radiotherapy," said Fouad Rahal, managing director of VMS Algeria SPA.
"Through this joint venture with the world's leading radiotherapy company we aim to support the National Cancer Program and meet the needs of cancer patients in Algeria," said Karim Djerboa, managing director of Cialfarm S.A.R.L. He said Varian's existing customers in Algeria will now receive enhanced service support and technical training from the new Varian Medical Systems Algeria organization.
The first Varian linear accelerator was installed in Algeria over 20 years ago and the company now has 16 systems operating across the country. Recently, Varian treatment systems were installed at government specialty cancer clinics in the cities of Batna and Setif.
Last year, Varian announced that it had entered into an agreement with the Algerian Ministry of Health to equip six cancer treatment centers with $51 million dollars of advanced technology for radiotherapy and radiosurgery. Those systems, which will include advanced TrueBeam™ treatment devices, will be installed as soon as the centers are constructed.
Editorial contact:
Neil Madle, Varian Medical Systems, +44 7786 526068
About Varian Medical Systems
Varian Medical Systems, Inc., of Palo Alto, California, focuses energy on saving lives by equipping the world with advanced technology for fighting cancer and for X-ray imaging. The company is the world's leading manufacturer of medical devices and software for treating cancer and other medical conditions with radiotherapy, radiosurgery, proton therapy and brachytherapy. The company supplies informatics software for managing comprehensive cancer clinics, radiotherapy centers and medical oncology practices. Varian is also a premier supplier of X-ray imaging components, including tubes, digital detectors, and image processing software and workstations for use in medical, scientific, and industrial settings, as well as for security and non-destructive testing. Varian Medical Systems employs approximately 6,800 people who are located at manufacturing sites in North America, Europe, and China and approximately 70 sales and support offices around the world. For more information, visit http://www.varian.com or follow us on Twitter.
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SOURCE Varian Medical Systems