SPOTLIGHT: Chinese medical equipments feature in many African hospitals (XINHUA)

Ten years ago, Li Shunhai went to Africa once a year, where he slept little and ate poorly while installing and adjusting X-ray machines. A decade later, traveling for business in African countries has become commonplace for the senior engineer at Beijing Wandong Medical Equipment Co. Ltd., a leading Chinese medical equipment manufacturer.

To date, Li cannot recall how many African countries he has visited. "Our X-ray machines have been highly recognized by African clients, giving me the opportunity to travel extensively," said Li.

The engineer's story has reflected the growth of China-made medical equipment manufacturing in recent years, in which exports have become the driving force of the industry.

Export opportunities

China's customs statistics show that in the first half of 2011, China-made medical equipment import and export volumes reached $12.05 billion, up 58.15 percent year-on-year. Of this total, exports were $7.13 billion, up 57.34 percent. In the same period, medical equipment exports to Africa increased 64.31 percent to reach $308 million. Africa has become a rapidly emerging market for Chinese medical equipment, although Asia, Europe and North America are still the top three biggest markets.

Items for export that have proved popular for many African buyers in recent years include medical disposable materials, auxiliary appliances, and diagnostic and treatment equipment.

Analysts say that there is an urgent need to improve healthcare in Africa, and their medical equipment market is largely import-reliant. Data shows that in 2010, South Africa's imported medical equipment increased by 30 percent to about $1.1 billion. With a population of more than 1 billion people, Africa represents a vast potential market.

Better service

The fledgling African market occupies a crucial position in the marketing plans of many Chinese medical equipment manufacturers.

According to Li of Beijing Wandong Medical Equipment Co. Ltd., their products, which range from large medical instruments such as X-ray machines, MRI scanners, and color ultrasonic systems to small pieces used to check blood pressure, eyes and ears, can be found in many hospitals in countries across Africa, such as Nigeria, Namibia, Niger and Tanzania.

"Compared with hospitals in developed countries, even some government-run hospitals [in Africa] were always simple, with little equipment," said Hijira Ganie, a doctor working in a clinic in Rwanda. The new Chinese-built hospital in Masaka, Rwanda, is now able to provide more thorough screenings with its updated medical equipment, added the doctor. All devices are from Wandong.

Leading Chinese manufacturers including Wandong, Neusoft and Lepu Medical are able to compete with their foreign counterparts in terms of medical instruments in Africa, due to their high quality and relatively lower prices, said Li Na, a senior medical consultant from a Beijing-based Huatong Jingwei consulting company.