Research and Markets: Strategic Analysis of the Medical Imaging Market in Kenya - Digital X-Ray Systems Gain Popularity

DUBLIN--(Business Wire)--
Research and Markets
(http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/cd8047/strategic_analysis) has
announced the addition of Frost & Sullivan's new report "Strategic Analysis of
the Medical Imaging Market in Kenya" to their offering.

Research was carried out in the Medical Imaging Market in Kenya. This industry
was segmented into Ultrasounds, X-rays and CT Scans. Market sizes based on total
installation base in country as well as revenue forecasts until 2014 were
determined. In addition market dynamics such as challenges, drivers and
restraints were also identified. A thorough product analysis and lifecycle
analysis was also completed.

Digital X-ray Systems Gain Popularity

The medical imaging market in Kenya is poised to continue on a path of steady
growth in the medium to long terms, driven by an aging population demanding
greater access to imaging and diagnostic procedures. Price sensitivity and
competition in the imaging market, however, remain high due to the sizeable
capital investment required to purchase imaging systems and the financial
constraints faced by many healthcare institutions in the country. Despite global
financial pressures, the Kenyan government launched an initiative in 2007 to
replace old equipment and acquire new imaging technologies in public facilities.
This initiative, together with the increased training provided to radiologists
in Kenya, will act as definite drivers of growth in this market.

"Growth in the x-ray market will be driven mainly by the installation of digital
systems as well as the introduction of picture archiving communication systems
(PACS) to the Kenyan market," notes the analyst of this research. "Doctors and
patients in Kenya are becoming more aware of the benefits of digital x-ray
systems, hence placing a greater demand on authorities to upgrade hospitals'
existing AR systems to digital ones." With digital x-rays, radiologists can
manipulate images at the time of viewing and can improve contrast for a better
image. Although traditional AR systems still account for a dominant share of the
market, growth in the medium term is expected to be driven by high adoption
rates of computed radiography (CR) systems in an effort to digitise existing
x-ray systems. "Over the long term, higher adoption of DR systems are expected
since this technology significantly lessens the waiting time for both patients
and radiologists as well as has a much lower repeat rate," adds the analyst.
"The growing adoption rates of PACS integrated with a DR systems is expected,
since this would help healthcare facilities to store and transfer digital images
as well as allow an easy transition from analogue to digital."

Concerns about Effects of Radiation Caused by X-ray Screening Cast a Shadow

Concerns about the effects of radiation caused by x-ray screening are growing in
Kenya. These rising concerns are related to improved education and improved
awareness about the effects of radiation and also due to the increased cases of
cancer detected in the country. "Mounting concerns about the radiation effects
derived from imaging devices such as x-rays is causing patients to hesitate
about coming for repetitive scans," remarks the analyst. "The risk of developing
cancer is considerably increased when exposed to repetitive radiation."

Apprehensions about the effects of radiation can be alleviated by efforts to
control radiation. This includes training of radiologists in dose reduction
software and hardware. Doctors also need to be educated to refrain from
prescribing repetitive scans when it is not absolutely necessary. Encouraging
healthcare institutions to invest in the use of digital technologies will
further enable them to be able to control the dose of radiation emitted during
scans more effectively. Accordingly, the Kenyan government needs to take the
initiative in improving patient care and diagnostics by providing public
hospitals with enhanced technologies such as digital x-rays. This will support
improvements in both image quality as well as enable radiation doses to be
lowered.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Executive Summary

2. Introduction to the Kenyan Medical Imaging Industry- Medical Device Industry

4. Total Medical Imaging Market

5. The Ultrasound Market

6. The Total X-ray Market

7. The CT Scan Market

8. Technology Trends

9. Observations and Strategic Recommendations

For more information visit
http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/cd8047/strategic_analysis

Laura Wood
Senior Manager
press@researchandmarkets.com
Fax from USA: 646-607-1907
Fax from rest of the world: +353-1-481-1716

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