Not All Gloomy for African Healthcare Markets: Frost & Sullivan Finds Potential Despite the Recession

CAPE TOWN, South Africa - Africa’s healthcare markets are starting to feel the effects of the global economic slowdown. Pressures from the global environment have led to rising health costs and constrained healthcare resources.

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“Countries that have been hardest hit are those whose economies are largely driven by commodity exports,” says Frost & Sullivan (www.healthcare.frost.com) healthcare analyst Ishe Zingoni. “In some countries, plunging commodity prices have led to mine closures and mass lay-offs. Medical aid schemes, which cater mostly for the mining sector, are consequently facing dwindling membership bases.”

The global recession has also weakened African currencies, thus raising the cost of imported products. In addition, with most donor countries in recession, uncertainty persists whether donors will be able to fulfill on their pledged contributions to a continent where foreign aid remains the bedrock of healthcare funding.

To offer decision makers a comprehensive overview of the effects of the global economic slowdown on Africa’s healthcare markets, the Healthcare Group at Frost & Sullivan will be hosting an online analyst briefing on Tuesday 19 May 2009 at 2:00 pm BST/ 3:00pm CAT.

“Healthcare markets in Africa have not been spared the effects of the global recession,” Zingoni says. “Under these conditions, the share of affordable generic drugs is expected to increase more significantly as healthcare funders struggle to contain costs and donors seek more effective use of limited resources.”

The presentation will benefit suppliers of healthcare products, decision makers in funding institutions and healthcare investors by accurately discussing the impact of the crisis on the prospects of healthcare companies in Africa.

To participate, please email Patrick Cairns at patrick.cairns@frost.com with the following information: your full name, company name, title, telephone number, e-mail, address, city and country. Upon receipt of the above information, a registration link will be e-mailed to you. You may also register to receive a recorded version of the briefing at anytime by submitting the aforementioned contact details.

Attend an Analyst Briefing and receive a chance for a complimentary admission to Frost & Sullivan’s flagship event, Growth Innovation & Leadership: A Frost & Sullivan Global Congress on Corporate Growth. GIL Global connects senior executives with innovative ideas and strategies that will accelerate the growth rates of their companies. Please visit GIL Global at www.gil-global.com, for more information.

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Contact: Patrick Cairns Corporate Communications T: +27-18-468-2315 E: patrick.cairns@frost.com www.frost.com

Source: Frost & Sullivan

Patrick Cairns, Corporate Communications of Frost & Sullivan, +27-18-468-2315, patrick.cairns at frost.com; PHOTO: https://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081117/FSLOGO