There is a critical need for economical, dependable medical equipment in the Philippines. With a growing population that exceeded 100 million in 2016, the Philippines is our world's twelfth most populated country. In spite of continued growth the Philippines healthcare delivery system suffers from a variety of deficiencies.
Healthcare in the Philippines: In Need of Medical Equipment and Care Providers
In addition to a shortage of healthcare providers, there is a lack of hospital beds and medical equipment in the Philippines. In particular, there is a shortage of doctors and equipment in rural areas and poorer provinces. Of the 17 key regions of the Philippines, only 4 regions meet the minimum standards of hospital beds per 1,000 residents. And with a shortage of high quality operating room equipment in the Philippines, many patients are unable to receive the surgical care that they require.
How a Shortage of Medical Care Affects Life Expectancy in the Philippines
As a partial result of deficiencies in the healthcare delivery system, the average life expectancy for the Philippines in 2014 was 68.2, which is significantly below the world average and other East Asian countries. Men and residents of impoverished regions of the Philippines are at particular risk of premature death. In 2014, the average life expectancy of men in the Philippines was just under 65 years of age and the lifespan of residents in poorer regions of the Philippines was nearly 10 years shorter than the average life expectancy in richer areas.
The Role of Access to Hospitals and Quality Medical Equipment in the Philippines
The shortage of hospitals and surgical equipment are the primary barriers to quality healthcare in the Philippines. Half of the people who live in the Philippines reside in rural areas of the country where there are sometimes no licensed medical doctors and ill-equipped facilities with broken medical devices. Most of the best clinics and hospitals are located in larger cities such as Manila, Cebu City, Quezon City and Davao City. However, even residents of the country's capital face healthcare challenges. Staffing shortages, combined with a lack of sufficient hospital beds and poorly functioning medical equipment pose problems for city residents as well.
The Challenge of Finding Affordable Medical Equipment in the Philippines
Public and private hospitals in the Philippines face a great challenge in sourcing medical equipment that is both reliable and affordable. As a result of an extremely limited local medical device production, over 95% of medical devices are imported from other countries. Notably, many hospital owners and doctors are reluctant to buy equipment from other countries. Others worry that they will not be able to afford high quality equipment. Many doctors and clinic owners have no idea where to go to source dependable medical devices at a fair price.
How Doctors in the Philippines Find Affordable Surgical Equipment from the USA
Surgeons, doctors and hospital owners are often not aware that they can safely buy hospital equipment from trustworthy medical equipment companies in the USA. The United States leads all other countries in medical device manufacturing with approximately 43% of all medical devices being produced in the USA in 2015. Filipino hospital owners often do not realize that they can also save money by purchasing professionally refurbished medical equipment from the USA. Doctors and surgeons are delighted to find out that they can save 50% or more when they buy refurbished medical equipment. Some of the best refurbishing companies can even provide all hospital equipment needed by a facility. Purchasing from these companies leads to additional discounts and lower shipping costs.
How to Find the Best Medical Equipment Supplier for the Philippines
When choosing a medical equipment supplier, there are four key points to consider: Experience, product quality, accreditation, and references. You should select a company with decades of industry experience and registration with the USA FDA. Additionally, you should seek a company that has a long list of customers in the Philippines. Please contact us to find out how we have supplied affordable medical equipment to the Philippines since 1984. We look forward to working with you!
