There is a critical need for high quality, affordable medical equipment in the Philippines. Too many clinics and hospitals do not have the proper equipment to treat patients. This is especially the case in rural areas of the Philippines. Below are the three main reasons why doctors fail to buy medical equipment:
- Availability. Doctors often do not know where to find medical equipment.
- Cost Concerns. Doctors worry the cost of new equipment will be too high.
- Trust Concerns. Doctors fear that they will not be able to trust equipment providers overseas.
Fortunately, doctors and surgeons in the Philippines can safely buy affordable hospital equipment from a trusted medical equipment company in the USA. Healthcare providers can save thousands of dollars by purchasing their hospital equipment from the United States. In fact, some medical equipment companies in the USA will directly ship medical equipment to Manila, Cebu City, Quezon City, Davao City and other areas of the Philippines.
How to Evaluate U.S. Medical Equipment Companies from the Philippines
There are over 6,500 medical equipment suppliers in the United States. This can make it challenging to find a company that is trustworthy AND experienced in shipping hospital equipment to the Philippines. When choosing between medical equipment suppliers in the USA, hospital and clinic owners in the Philippines need to ask each company these four simple questions:
Key questions to ask medical equipment companies:
- How much experience do you have shipping equipment to the Philippines?
- Can you provide all of the equipment needed for a clinic or hospital?
- Please provide 5 references in the Philippines who buy equipment from you.
- Is your company registered with the FDA? Is it Export Bureau approved?
Why Experience Shipping to the Philippines is Important
When evaluating medical equipment companies, you should seek an equipment provider with a long history of shipping medical equipment to the Philippines. Companies with more than ten years of experience shipping medical equipment to the Philippines are usually the best choice. Equipment companies should also have expertise in the following:
- Packaging and preparing fragile medical devices for shipment
- Preparation of important shipping documents
- Coordinating with a variety of carriers and freight forwarders
Experience in these areas is important because it helps to prevent customs delays and shipping damage.
Save Money by Choosing a Company that Provides All Equipment Needed
Hospital and clinic owners can save money if they buy all of the equipment they need from the same company. It is therefore often beneficial to choose a company that can provide everything needed for the operating room (surgical tables, lights, anesthesia machines, electro-surgical units and monitors). Nearly all medical equipment companies will include a discount if a customer purchases a large collection of equipment.
Why it is Always Important to Request References
Some doctors and surgeons in the Philippines often worry about buying medical equipment from the USA because they are not able to personally see or touch the products. Others worry that they will send money and never receive any equipment. These worries can be addressed by requesting references of doctors and surgeons in the Philippines who have purchased from a company in the past.
ALWAYS be cautious of companies that cannot quickly provide several references of customers in the Philippines who have purchased equipment.
The Significance of Agency Approvals
Approval by the U.S. Export Bureau and registration with the U.S. FDA show a company's commitment to quality products and the safe transportation of goods. Screening for agency approvals is an easy way to help separate the dependable medical equipment companies from inexperienced or unreliable companies.
Selecting the Best Medical Equipment Company in the USA
Choosing a trustworthy medical equipment provider is critical to the success of your hospital and the health of your patients in the Philippines. We invite you to contact us to learn how we have shipped high quality, affordable medical equipment to the Philippines since 1984. Avante Health Solutions's experienced International Account Executives will provide you with a detailed quotation for your clinic or hospital. We are happy to supply references from our satisfied clients in the Philippines, and we can even provide you with photos of hospitals and clinics in the Philippines that use Avante equipment. We look forward to hearing from you!
