MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND MEDICINES NEEDS CRITICAL AND DEPENDABLE LOGISTICS SUPPORT

There is an old adage. She did it like her life depended on it. A patient in need of medical attention whether in OPD or in IR is hardly worried about doctor’s preferences in equipment all around him – from surgical gloves to scalpel to syringes to headlamps; scan machines or oxygen supply, – and how that can make a difference in her health outcomes. All she wants is right diagnosis and improved health at the most affordable price. So, in effect, in healthcare, consumers are patients and the product they want is improved health at the best or at the most affordable prices possible. Fact of the matter is, healthcare is not guided by the regular definition of supply and demand nor can the inventory be stored for the unforeseen. According to a 2015 WHO report, almost 5.8 million Indians die from non-communicable disease (NCDS) - heart and lung diseases, stroke, cancer, and diabetes, every year, which means that 1 in 4 Indians are at risk of dying from a NCD before the age of 70. Another study by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in 2017 further reinforced this. Profoundly titled, "India: Health of the Nation's States"- The India State-level Disease Burden Initiative which revealed that the percentage of deaths in India attributable to non-communicable diseases (NCDS) has risen from 37.9% in 1990 to 61.8% in 2016. The four main NCDS are diabetes, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases (CRDS), and cardiovascular diseases (CVDS). As demonstrated by a spate of tragic incidents, heart attacks are on the rise especially particularly among young people. India ranks fourth in Asia and among the top twenty markets worldwide in terms of market size, behind China, South Korea, and Japan. Despite various obstacles, the $10 billion Indian medical equipment business remains an appealing export market for American companies. Nearly 80% of the medical equipment used in India is imported and that includes the heart equipment as well. An article on website connect2indiaindia highlighted that India imported US$ 60.47 million worth of pacemakers from 37 countries in 2020-2021. Healthcare facilities and hospitals need consumables like surgical gloves, scalpel and syringes; equipment like OT Tables, scan and US machines; cardiology equipment like ECG Machine, Bedside Monitor, Multi Para Monitor, Central Nursing Station, Treadmill, Stress Test System, Pacemaker, External Pacemaker, Bio Monitor, Defibrillator, Pulse Oximeter, Oxygen Concentrator, I.V Pump, Continued B.P. Monitor etc., medicines, and hi-end life supporting products required in complex procedures, like pacemakers, defibrillators, catheters, etc. where regular supply chain becomes necessary. These products can be sourced from the manufacturer directly or by involving a reliable supply chain partner. A supply chain partner can be reliable only when it sees healthcare as a service distinguished from its offering to other segments and understand the criticality of both time and cost. Majority of these instruments are bulky, some are delicate, and temperature-sensitive means that there would be a need for a customised and calibrated handling and transportation. They are packed in wooden crates and bubble wrapped. Only experts with extensive knowledge of the logistics surrounding the shipment of medical equipment could be trusted with this task.

Against this background, it requires a well-entrenched and trustworthy partner to cater to logistics and distribution of country’s emerging healthcare and wellness needs. Safexpress as a logistics and distribution service provider is a proud partner for almost every pharmaceutical and healthcare company involved in supply, service and its trade. Our involvement in the value chain starts with procurement and supply of complex compounds and other primary goods to the manufacturing company and distribution of the final product to hospitals and pharmacies. As a pan-india logistics service provider, Safexpress has built its network basing hub-andspoke wherein connectivity and speed is optimized so as to reach the distant places faster and at a cost comparatively cheaper. When one works on medical equipment supply in logistics sector, we know lots of lives actually depend on timely delivery by us.