Da Vinci Surgical Robot Marks Shift in Africa Medtech to Pay-Per-Use Equipment Model
01 Agosto 2024 - 5:32AM
Business Wire
EASE® South Africa introduces
Equipment-as-a-Service to fast-track innovation in medical
equipment utilisation
A state-of-the-art Da Vinci surgical robot installed this week
at Busamed Gateway Private Hospital in Kwazulu Natal, South Africa,
heralds a breakthrough for access to cutting-edge medical
technology in Africa without the burden of heavy capital
investments.
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the full release here:
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Imraan Soomra, CEO of EASE, delivering an
address highlighting the installation and transformative nature of
the first pay-per-use medical equipment in South Africa at the
launch event in KZN, South Africa. He also noted the Da Vinci
surgical robot is a product portfolio expansion for EASE. The
product portfolio now includes radiology, nuclear medicine
equipment, and robotic surgical systems. (Photo: Business Wire)
The 40 million rand (US$2.2 million) robot which equips surgeons
with superior vision, precision and ergonomic comfort to perform
complex minimally invasive procedures with reduced pain, blood loss
and recovery time is a first for the Kwazulu Natal region. It also
marks a first for South Africa in terms of medical technology
installed without any upfront payment through an innovative
pay-per-use Equipment-as-a-Service model introduced by EASE®.
A growing global shift towards renting equipment has driven US
healthcare providers to lease 35% and Europeans 30% of their
medical technology, enabling patients to benefit immediately from
the latest innovations while also anticipating and responding to
changing economic and operational conditions. In Africa, where
improved access to medical technology is a key priority, our
pay-per-use model offers health facilities the chance to leapfrog
technology while freeing up capital for other critical areas of
patient care.
After introducing pay-per-use medical equipment in West Africa,
EASE opened its doors in South Africa last year. The surgical robot
at Busamed Gateway Private Hospital is the company’s first
installation in the country, with further installations planned in
the coming months. EASE also intends to expand to a further ten
African countries within five years, bringing the latest medical
innovations to 3 million patients.
“We’re pleased to enter into this partnership with EASE which
will support us in offering world-class care, while freeing up
capital that would otherwise have gone towards the costly
acquisition of this machine, and instead focus it on further
improving our service and the level of care that our patients
receive,” said Sunny Govender, Chief Financial Officer at Busamed
Hospital Group. “In simple terms, the pay-per-use model allows us
to only pay when actually using the machine, thereby freeing up
resources that can be spent on more beds, more nurses and better
care overall.”
Busamed’s new robot will be used primarily by urologists and
gynaecologists for routine minimally invasive surgeries, resulting
in a shorter length of stay in the hospital, less wound access
trauma, and a reduction in post-operative wound complications for
patients. The reduction in post-operative care creates a further
cost-savings opportunity for the hospital.
“We partner with hospitals and radiology practices that have a
strong vision, commitment, and operational plan to deliver the best
care to their patients,” said Dr. Kanyinsola Oyeyinka, VP of
Healthcare at EASE. “Our model reduces the upfront costs of
technology acquisition for healthcare facilities by co-developing
sustainable pricing models that meet business needs.”
EASE is providing a critical alternative to purchasing, and
owning, medical equipment outright, be it with or without
financing. As the demand for advanced diagnostic equipment is very
significant, healthcare organisations can develop projections
around generating patient volume within a sustainable business
model that replaces large capital expenditure on machines with more
flexible operational expenses.
“EASE is thrilled to facilitate access to cutting-edge
technology like the Da Vinci surgical robot through our innovative
pay-per-use model,” said Imraan Soomra, CEO of EASE. “It’s great to
see two innovations at work to improve the quality of healthcare in
the country. We invite more institutions across South Africa to
partner with us so that they can offer their patients top-tier
medical care.”
The partnership with Busamed Hospital Group represents a
portfolio expansion for EASE into robotic surgical technologies,
continuing the group’s commitment to facilitating access to
economically and environmentally sustainable technologies. The EASE
portfolio also includes diagnostic radiology machines, namely MRI
and CT scanners and nuclear medicine equipment.
This week's launch was celebrated with a vibrant event in
Umhlanga, including a live demonstration of the robot. The ceremony
was attended by the Mayor of Ethekwini, Cllr Cyril Xaba; Chief
Executive Officer of the Durban Chamber of Commerce, Ms Palesa
Phili; Deputy Director of the Provincial Department of Health in
KZN, Mr Chris Maxon; and medical professionals and representatives
of EASE Holdings, Busamed Hospital Group and Medhold, a premier
supplier of medical equipment in South Africa.
For more information and to see footage from the launch event,
visit
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/h556p0eb93gp768dtp20d/AJD5KdqqRvxnjMwkEJoGG_0?rlkey=ivmxwejy35595lyv4h896yjg3&st=u627g17y&dl=0.
About EASE®
Equipment-as-a-Service (EASE®) is a pay-per-use program that
provides businesses and organisations with cost-effective access to
state-of-the-art equipment – including maintenance, training and
support – with terms that match their circumstances and business
needs. EASE Holdings BV is headquartered in the Netherlands with
operations in Dubai, Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa.
To find out more about EASE®, visit
https://www.easeglobal.com
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240801038183/en/
Media enquiries: Cydney Bell press@easeglobal.com +44
7412 705491