Enhancing Diagnosis and Treatment Capacity

IFC is boosting access to advanced medical devices in low- and middle-income countries by financing private sector solutions, fostering innovation, and supporting regional production to improve diagnosis and treatment capacity in underserved areas.

Medical equipment and health technologies are crucial for a resilient and reliable health system, as they improve diagnosis and treatment, enhance patient safety and care quality, and increase efficiency and productivity. Additionally, they facilitate access to remote areas and enable rapid responses to health crises. These tools also support preventive care and data-driven decision-making, allowing healthcare systems to adapt to changing needs. Yet they are not reaching everyone equally. In low- and middle-income countries, limited availability of medical devices hinders access to quality healthcare.

To address this disparity, IFC is dedicated to improving the availability of medical devices by financing private sector solutions and leveraging innovative digital technologies. Our goal is to ensure that health systems in emerging markets have access to the advanced medical equipment necessary to enhance the quality and reliability of care.

Among its initiatives, IFC's Africa Medical Equipment Facility (AMEF) helps small and medium-sized healthcare providers secure financing for essential equipment through an innovative partnership with local banks and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Additionally, IFC is working on regionalizing production to build capacity for manufacturing medical supplies and developing related supply chains in low- and middle-income countries. Public-private partnerships also help ensure access to medical devices. These collaborations leverage the expertise and efficiency of the private sector to ensure essential equipment reaches underserved areas. By merging resources and knowledge, these partnerships enhance the availability and distribution of medical devices, improving overall healthcare quality.