The Medical Device Market: South Africa

Abstract

The best prospects for advanced technology and equipment in South Africa remain in the private sector. This in-depth market report provides 5-year market forecasts, analysis of trends, domestic production, medical imports and exports, health provision and health funding. Included with the report are 3 free quarterly updated outlook reports, enabling you to keep up to date with market developments for a year.

The South African healthcare market is complex and fragmented; foreign companies require extensive representation to gain a foothold in the medical device market. The old administration was decentralised and extremely run down, at least outside the major urban areas. Gaining access is still no simple matter, reflecting the complicated and transitory nature of South Africa' s health system in general. There are many points of access and it is not always clear as to where the real purchasing power lies. South Africa manufactures very little medical equipment, so most products are imported from overseas.

Since 1994, the government has severely restricted public funding for the secondary and tertiary sectors, arguing that such facilities are not a priority for the majority of the population. This restriction is being furthered by the proposed introduction of Certificates of Need, the most controversial element of the new National Health Act. Certificates of Need were supposed to be introduced in 2005, but as yet, the relevant chapter of the National Health Act has not come into effect. In mid-2005, a draft Health Charter was introduced by the government to improve access to and equity and quality of healthcare services, as well as increasing levels of black economic empowerment. It was offered to stakeholders for consultation and a revised Charter was announced in October 2005 which was hailed as heavily amended and seen as backtracking on behalf of the Ministry of Health.

In practice, South Africa' s private hospitals cater for the urban white population and an increasingly affluent Black middle class. Patients generally fund treatment through medical insurance schemes. Rich urban areas retain many of the high-quality facilities developed under the apartheid regime, while rural areas and Black townships are only slowly beginning to establish any kind of modern health service. New private hospital building is officially banned, although expansion of existing facilities is usually possible. The problem of HIV infection is particularly acute.

Highly detailed report content

MARKET OUTLOOK

• Current market size
• Unique 5-year market projections
• Market outlook
• Market structure
  • Including statistical data on imports and exports
• Market developments
  • Covering recent and impending developments with respect to key issues such as regulation, health facilities and government policy
• Key national data projections

BACKGROUND DATA

• Population data, including growth trends and age structure
• Demographic indicators detailing principal causes of death and morbidity

HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

• Health expenditure
  • Expenditure by source of funding and type
• Hospital services
  • Hospital data such as beds and activity
• Outpatient care
• Medical personnel
  • Data on healthcare professionals covering such areas as doctors by specialty, nursing staff and dentists

ACCESSING THE MEDICAL MARKET

• Regulatory environment
• Distribution guide and trade fair information
• Domestic production

CONTACT DETAILS

For healthcare organisations and trade associations.

Compelling reasons to buy this Espicom market report

• Espicom is a leading provider of market and company information for business. In addition to this analysis, Espicom provides detailed management reports on over 70 established and emerging medical markets around the world.
• Includes - FREE - three quarterly updated outlook reports on the South African medical device market
• Unique and original market forecasts
• Insightful interpretation of market trends and developments
• Over 25 years continuous medical device and equipment market experience
• A team of full-time researchers and analysts
• Unbeatable access to primary sources
• Independent and impartial
• Formats to suit every distribution need and budget

Please note: Report sections are periodically updated and some sections may have been updated more recently than the publication date given for the full report.