Installed Base and Hospital Equipment Purchasing in Latin America

October 16, 2023

By Guillaume Corpart

While 2020-2022 revealed unique trends in hospital acquisitions in the height of the pandemic, early data from HospiScope 2023 is equally as interesting as we uncover some of the most pressing issues for hospital systems in light of a new normal.

If recent years have taught us anything it is that healthcare is a national concern. In a region where >70% of patients are seen in the public sector, domestic political forces, budgets, and decisions are made within each country’s individual context. HospiScope tracks the installed base of equipment and infrastructure within 19 countries across Latin America, from newborn cribs to robotic surgery systems.

Installed Base Trends in Argentina

Amidst the economic problems plaguing Argentina, HospiScope 2023 reveals solid growth in the installed base across key categories, and particularly amongst sophisticated equipment used to treat complex cases. Double-digit growth is seen across the following modalities:

Angiography systems. These systems show double-digit growth for the second year in a row, similar growth to pre-pandemic levels.
Cath labs. Growth in this category is particularly interesting as it is a rebound from 2 years of minimal investment in this space.
Gamma cameras. Growth in the installed base of gamma cameras has been increasing steadily over the past 4 years.
ICUs and ICU beds. 2023 shows renewed investment in this category, nearly at the same level as at the height of the COVID pandemic.
Infusion pumps. Showing solid and sustained growth in 2023, but a lower rate than in 2022.
MRI equipment. This equipment shows a rebound in the post-pandemic era, with 2 consecutive years of double-digit growth.
Patient monitoring systems. Aside from 2021 when hospitals were focused on dealing with the COVID pandemic, PMS have shown double-digit growth every other year since 2019. While growth in this category remains strong in 2023, it appears to be slowing down.

For more information on Argentina’s installed base of equipment, or to delve deeper in over 40 infrastructure categories, please contact us here.

Installed Base Trends in Colombia

HospiScope 2023 reveals that hospitals in Colombia are traditionally some of the most prominent at investing in their infrastructure and capacity. However, talks of redefining the healthcare system slowed investments in capital equipment during 2022. Early data from 2023 shows a rebound in certain categories, indicating that while hospitals may slow down their acquisitions for a certain period, at some point they must invest in renewing obsolete equipment and even increase the installed base, regardless of political situation. Double-digit growth is seen across the following modalities:

Angiography systems. After low investments during 2022, these systems show double-digit growth in 2023, similar growth to pre-pandemic levels.
ICUs and ICU beds. 2023 shows renewed investment in this category, nearly at the same level as at the height of the COVID pandemic.
Infusion pumps. Showing solid and sustained growth in 2023, but a lower rate than in 2022.
Linear accelerators. After low investments during 2022, these systems show double-digit growth in 2023, similar growth to pre-pandemic levels.
Mammography equipment. Investments continue to increase for the acquisition of mammography equipment, reaching double digits in 2023. This is one of the few equipment categories showing continued increase in investment and resilience throughout the COVID pandemic, indicating its importance on a national level.
Radiology information systems. Unique to Colombia is the fact that the installed base of RIS is growing at double digits for 3-years running, indicating overall dedication to increasing the presence of high-tech imaging equipment and increasing efficiencies.

For more information on Colombia’s installed base of equipment, or to delve deeper in over 40 infrastructure categories, please contact us here.

As hospitals settle in the new normal, market segmentation becomes ever more critical. In addition to delivering key insights into 19,000+ institutions across Latin America, HospiScope can help you identify which hospitals are the most appropriate for your products / solutions.

Next Steps

Understanding the stakeholders – Patients, Physicians, Payers, Policymakers, and others – is critical to winning in these markets. With a team that conducts over 5,000 stakeholder interviews per year, GHI is well equipped to answer your unique needs, from one-off questions to annual trackers. Contact us to help you win in the market.

Guillaume Corpart

Guillaume Corpart is the CEO and founder of Global Health Intelligence, with more than two decades of experience in market intelligence. He is a recognized expert and thought leader in discussing the medical equipment/devices market in Latin America, having overseen hundreds of studies for the world's top brands in this sector.