In total the agreement foresees the installation of Computed Radiography (CR) systems for converting analog diagnostic images to digital formats, the company's Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) IMPAX for managing and distributing diagnostic images and information, a Radiology Information System (RIS) enabling radiologists to electronically manage end-to-end operations, and a central imaging repository solution to centralize all image-related information across 25 sites.

IDI Foundation is one of Brazil's largest diagnostic imaging groups. The facility's 25 locations across Sao Paolo in Brazil manage around 3 million diagnostic imaging exams, from 90 modalities (including CT, MRI, UltraSound and Nuclear Medicine) each year. The foundation is recognized as a Public Utility, private, philanthropic and nonprofit organization. IDI Foundation employs around 200 radiologists and 1000 staff members, including administrative workers, IT and radiology technicians. IDI Foundation is also a key service provider to the Department of Health of the State of São Paulo and also to the Department of Health of the Municipality of São Paulo.

Agfa HealthCare was awarded the contract after a Request for Proposal (RfP) was issued by the foundation, inviting several providers to compete for the tender. The project will be completed by early 2011 and implementation of the new solutions will occur in three phases.

"Agfa HealthCare went to great lengths to analyze our requirements, discuss the options and present a viable solution to meet our needs" states Prof. Dr. Nitamar Abdala, Director at IDI Foundation. "Processing, storing and managing over 3 million exams each year is an enormous challenge for any organization, but after having been introduced to the company's successful implementations in, amongst others, Canada, we were convinced we had the right candidate for the task", says Prof. Dr. Jacob Szejnfeld, President of IDI Foundation.

"It is an honor to have been selected by IDI Foundation after a rigorous evaluation process", states Luc Thijs, Vice President of Agfa HealthCare's Growth Markets. "IDI Foundation is a leading diagnostic center, with an outstanding level of expertise, and their recognition of our solutions and capabilities is an important acknowledgment of Agfa HealthCare's capabilities, in the region and beyond."

Agfa HealthCare launched a Brazilian, Portuguese language, version of its IMPAX system in 2006. Today the company is a leading player on the Brazilian healthcare market, with 14 large hospital sites relying on its PACS solutions for their daily diagnostic imaging needs. Agfa HealthCare has six offices across Latin America, including one in Brazil.

About Agfa
The Agfa-Gevaert Group is one of the world’s leading companies in imaging and information technology. Agfa develops manufactures and markets analogue and digital systems for the printing industry (Agfa Graphics), for the healthcare sector (Agfa HealthCare), and for specific industrial applications (Agfa Materials). Agfa is headquartered in Mortsel, Belgium. The company is present in 40 countries and has agents in another 100 countries around the globe. The Agfa-Gevaert Group achieved a turnover of 2,755 million euro in 2009.

About Agfa HealthCare
Agfa HealthCare, a member of the Agfa-Gevaert Group, is a leading global provider of diagnostic imaging and healthcare IT solutions. The company has nearly a century of healthcare experience and has been a pioneer on the healthcare IT market since the early 1990's. Today Agfa HealthCare designs, develops and delivers state-of-the-art systems for capturing, managing and processing diagnostic images and clinical/administrative information for hospitals and healthcare facilities, as well as contrast media solutions to enable effective medical imaging results. The company has sales offices and agents in over 100 markets worldwide. Sales for Agfa HealthCare in 2009 were 1,178 million euro. For more information on Agfa HealthCare, please visit www.agfahealthcare.com.