New Health Minister’s efficiency drive welcomed

New Health Minister’s efficiency drive welcomed - MTANZ

The Medical Technology Association of New Zealand (MTANZ ) has welcomed the appointment of new Health Minister Tony Ryall and says it’s looking forward to working with him and his associate ministers to reduce inefficiencies in the health system.

“Advanced medical technologies can save lives and money. Inefficiencies in the current health system, however, restrict access to medical technology and waste resources,” says MTANZ Chief Executive Faye Sumner.

MTANZ represents manufacturers and importers who supply medical technology used in the diagnosis, prevention, treatment and management of disease and disability.

Sumner says her organisation would welcome the opportunity to share its considerable knowledge of the industry with the new Minister to improve health outcomes for patients through sound and sustainable investment in medical technologies.

“We look forward to working with DHBNZ to improve shared services across the DHBs to decrease fragmentation and duplication of processes,” she suggests.

MTANZ believes that mechanisms such as more regionalised product ordering and distribution processes; enhanced use of e-commerce in procurement; more consistent tendering and contracting processes could lead to considerably increased efficiency.

Ms Sumner says the health sector may also benefit from taking a longer term view to investing in medical technology.

“ Too often in the past, health organisations have gone for the cheap option which may save costs in the short term but, for example, could lead to patients needing two operations instead of one longer term,” she says.

Sumner says medical technology saves lives and money through more accurate diagnoses, less invasive procedures and improved treatment options.

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