The global health market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of almost 8 percent from 2011 to 2016. With a market value of trillions of dollars, opportunities exist for new technology and services in an industry that has been riddled with inefficiencies. As a well known manufacturer of healthcare equipment, the president and CEO of Toshiba, Hisao Tanaka, announced the company is now implementing a mid-term strategy towards 2015 focusing on the emerging global healthcare market.
Toshiba holds 50,000 patents across many different industries, and the company intends to use its intellectual property to address the healthcare industry by targeting developing countries. The company wants to implement many advanced computing technology into the healthcare industry.
In addition, the company is going to be focusing on the growing aging population around the world by introducing products that will make life comfortable for this demographic. Around the world, the group of people age 65 and up is growing. Improved medical care increases the life expectancy of this population. In 1950, this group represented only 5 percent of the population, and by 2050 the United Nations expects this number will increase to 16 percent with a total of 1.5 billion people. Addressing the healthcare needs of this age group presents a lucrative opportunity.
Imaging technology is one area that will benefit older patients in order to avoid exploratory surgeries. The line of imaging technology from Toshiba are designed in collaboration with electro physiologists. These will be exclusive industry tools for diagnosis and treatment of many conditions including treatments for cardiac arrhythmia, which can be technically challenging and complex. This platform gives healthcare professionals a cardiovascular system that delivers safety, versatility and performance for some of the most complicated procedures like catheter ablation, CRT, pacemaker or ICD implantations.
Edited by
Stefania Viscusi
