Analysis of the Thai Endoscopy Devices Market, Forecast to 2019

The endoscopy devices market in Thailand is expected to grow due to the rising demand for minimally invasive procedures, driven by reduced procedure time and increased results efficacy due to the use of better diagnostics equipment (which is promoted by private hospitals).

Despite the rising population and the demand for healthcare, spending as a proportion of the GDP (%) is expected to remain flat in future, and it will not be affected by any budget cuts. Thailand’s healthcare budget is expected to remain stable, while purchase trends change toward minimally invasive procedures, with reliability and quality of after-sales service being key points for purchasers. Thailand’s Government intends to maintain healthcare spending even while it struggles to reduce the budget deficit, with a strong focus on Universal Healthcare. Advocacy for the country's Universal Healthcare has been increasing since its introduction.

Laparoscopic surgery cases are on the rise, especially among private hospitals, given the larger budgets to remain competitive and increase their revenue.Thailand has been experiencing an increase in the total number of physicians to meet the target of 1 doctor per 1,800 people, as proposed by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH).

In 2010, cancer was the leading cause of death in the country, and it accounted for close to 20% of the total deaths, with an estimated 104 deaths per 100,000 persons in 2014. More than 120,000 new cases of cancer are diagnosed among men and women every year. The National Cancer Control Programmes aim to control cancer by reducing incidences and the mortality rates of the disease through the actionable steps of Prevention, Early Diagnosis, Treatment, and Palliative Care. This is expected to drive the uptake of endoscopy equipment in Thailand.

Private hospitals are registering growth but are mainly funded by medical tourism; they are chiefly located in affluent city centers. Medical tourism drives the need for advanced surgical systems and practices. The private market is largely driven by medical tourism in central locations such as Bangkok. Flexible scopes usage remains low when compared to rigid scopes as most surgeons have been trained to use rigid scopes.