IVD Markets in sub-Saharan Africa

Research Overview

This Frost & Sullivan research service titled IVD Markets in Sub-Saharan Africa provides an overview the in-vitro diagnostics markets, with a complete analysis of key market drivers, restraints and trends. In this research, Frost & Sullivan's expert analysts thoroughly examine the IVD markets in Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Market Sectors

Expert Frost & Sullivan analysts thoroughly examine the following market sectors in this research:

By Geographical Region:

• Botswana
• Kenya
• Mozambique
• Namibia
• South Africa
• Tanzania
• Uganda
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

Market Overview

Growing Incidence of Diseases and International Monetary Funding Fuel the Uptake of IVD Tests

The rising incidence of diseases in the sub-Saharan African region is creating huge growth opportunities for in-vitro diagnostics (IVD) manufacturers. The high disease burden, combined with clinical misdiagnosis has worsened healthcare delivery in this region. However, disease prevention and treatment programmes are increasingly focusing on developing diagnostic facilities to effectively reach patients. In addition to mere commercialisation of existing products, the markets provide scope for the identification of new biomarkers for diseases that are inherent to this region. These opportunities, combined with monetary support from global agencies and the local government, make the markets in sub-Sahara Africa lucrative for IVD business.

"Government initiatives, coupled with increasing monetary support from global agencies is driving growth in the markets," notes the analyst of this research service. "The alarming increase in the incidence of diseases in sub-Saharan Africa has forced the regional governments to roll out the anti-retroviral programme, which has helped in popularising diagnostic tests in the region." Moreover, people are increasingly becoming aware of infectious diseases and are therefore seeking health assistance, which is another factor contributing to growth in the diagnostic market for these diseases.

Market Success to Hinge on Communicating the Value of Clinical Tests to Healthcare Providers

Despite trends that augur well for the markets, several inherent challenges question the sustainability of these markets. Clinical diagnostics services are often undervalued by physicians due to laboratory conditions and the lack of skilled laboratory staff. Unlike Europe or the United States, clinical diagnostic facilities in the region are not well equipped. The lack of quality laboratory facilities and trained staff questions the quality and reliability of diagnostic test results. This has led to over-diagnosis or mis-diagnosis of diseases, which has made physicians perceive diagnostics tests as an additional source of information and not the prime source for the confirmation of disease conditions. Accordingly, the importance of diagnostic tests in the healthcare value chain has declined.

"Poor laboratory facilities question the accuracy of the test results performed making it unreliable for decision-making by the physicians," explains the analyst. "Thus, to sustain the growth in the markets, communicating the value of diagnostic tests to healthcare policy makers will become essential." IVD manufacturers should invest a significant amount of their resources in improving the clinical facilities by providing training services to laboratories.