Vietnam produces only 5% modern medical equipment

VNECONOMY updated: 21/12/2006

Vietnam has produced 621 kinds of medical equipment so far, but only 5% of it is modern. The information was released at the medical equipment meeting recently held in Hanoi to discuss the implementation of the national strategies on medical equipment development after WTO accession. So far, the whole country has 56 medical equipment producing units with legal licences including 27 private and joint stock companies, 10 state-owned enterprises and 12 joint venture companies or companies receiving foreign investment. The 621 kinds of medical equipment produced by Vietnam are mainly instruments used in hospital interiors, surgery rooms and other advanced electronic devices. However, the percentage of modern pieces of equipment stands at only 5%. This includes physiotherapy machines, functional rehabilitation machines, electrical surgery knives. Additionally, the quality and durability of these products are much lower compared to imported ones. In the 2007-2010 periods, the Ministry of Health will implement a project titled “Research and Development of Medical Equipment in Vietnam by 2010”. This projects aims at expanding the manufacturing of common equipment to be able to meet 60% of the country’s demand for medical instruments by 2010 as well as minimise the number of imported medical machines.

Source: VietnamNet