Hospitalar and Meditech: South America's medical technology trade fairs

The medical technology trade fairs Hospitalar and Meditech could not be more different. While one has been the leading medical trade fair in America for 25 years, the other only exists for 10 years now. But the two trade fairs have one thing in common: their aim is to boost the South American medical market and thus improve the country's healthcare sector.

In the interview with MEDICA-tradefair.com, Horst Giesen and Hannes Niemann talk about the medical market in South America, the trade fairs Meditech in Bogotá (Colombia) and Hospitalar in São Paulo (Brazil) and their particularities.

Mr Giesen and Mr Niemann, what are the current trends in the South American medical market?

Horst Giesen: The South American market is not uniform. We decided to cooperate with Meditech Bogotá because the Colombian market seems promising to us. Political and economic conditions are stable. Strong investments are being made in the expansion of medical care and Colombia has the second highest population of all South American states after Brazil. The population is growing and it is getting older. These are already interesting drivers for the health industry. In addition, Colombia imports almost all medical products.

Hannes Niemann: Due to the political and economic crisis of the last few years, low-cost solutions are currently in demand on the Brazilian market. The private sector has gained more importance as a customer for medical technology. However, the crisis seems to have bottomed out and the local industry associations expect an increase in demand for medical technology from 2018 and, as a result, imports due to new investments in devices and equipment.

What role do Meditech and Hospitalar play for the South American medical market?

Giesen: Meditech is conceived as a domestic trade fair, which, however, increasingly has an impact on its immediate neighbours and thus also has Central America in mind.

Niemann: Hospitalar is the most important trade fair in South America. All important international and national companies are represented, visitors come from all over South America and some beyond. The congress and lecture program also attracts many experts to São Paulo.

What do you think is the unique selling point of each trade fair?

Giesen: We do not want to speak of a unique selling point at Meditech, as there are other medical fairs in South America and Central America. But for Colombia itself, Meditech is certainly outstanding.

Niemann: Hospitalar manages to bring together all the world's important suppliers with the experts from South America. Many trade fairs in South America are regional events and Hospitalar is the only one with a national and international orientation. For years it has been one of the top 5 trade fairs for medical technology worldwide.