PATH commends South Africa on the launch of its Medical Technology Masterplan
Adoption of the Masterplan is an important step toward strengthening South Africa’s manufacturing sector for medical technologies for use across the African continent and beyond.
PATH commends the South African Department of Trade Industry and Competition (DTIC) for officially signing the Medical Technology Masterplan on May 13th, 2024. The masterplan aims to support South Africa’s medical technologies sector by forging cross-sector partnerships and stakeholder commitments that encourage growth, investment, and competition.
The launch of this masterplan marks an important step in the country’s continued collaboration to grow the medical technologies sector with the ultimate aim of making health technologies more accessible while also contributing to economic growth. The masterplan focuses on four fundamental priorities— (1) regulatory framework, (2) market growth, (3) technology production and skills development, (4) research innovation and data. Each pillar includes defined actions for partners and stakeholders to support and implement.
Over the next three years, the masterplan and its defined actions will identify priority areas where the government can invest to grow local manufacturing, increase access to the local market through innovative procurement models, and achieve global competitiveness through recognition of the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA).
“The passage of this policy in South Africa, which is a leader on the continent and globally, is a big achievement toward a more sustainable local manufacturing sector in Africa. PATH was pleased to help support DTIC and its partners in the early development of the masterplan, and we look forward to continued engagement with all key stakeholders,” said Sibusiso Hlatjwako, Director of External Affairs for the Africa Region at PATH.
In 2022, PATH partnered with DTIC and other stakeholders to develop the masterplan. Due to our expertise in both advocacy & policy, medical devices, and health technologies, PATH was invited to participate in two technical working groups that were instrumental in shaping the plan.
After the technical working groups, the development process was handed over to an independent facilitator. PATH worked with a DTIC-appointed facilitator, providing resources and guidance to inform the plan. We also worked closely with The Medical Device and Diagnostic Innovation Cluster (MeDDIC)—an initiative of the South Africa Medical Research Council—to influence the development process. MeDDIC has been integral to the masterplan’s development and we plan to work with them to popularize the plan amongst stakeholders.
Over the next few months, we will be reviewing the plan to determine how PATH can best support its implementation. We remain committed to supporting South Africa to increase health equity through manufacturing of quality, affordable health tools.