SA’s Healthcare Revolution? Huge China Deal on the Cards
SHENZHEN — Deputy President Paul Mashatile has issued a formal call to Chinese medical technology giant Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics to establish manufacturing and assembly plants within South African borders. The appeal was made during a high-level working visit to the company’s headquarters in Shenzhen, where the Deputy President is seeking to secure strategic investments for the country’s healthcare sector.
During a guided tour of the facility on Thursday, Mashatile was shown a range of cutting edge technologies and artificial intelligence solutions currently used in primary healthcare. The Deputy President expressed a strong interest in seeing these operations localised, noting that South Africa is looking for more than just investment. He stated that the objective is to create long term partnerships that contribute to industrialisation, technology transfer, and sustainable job creation.
The move is part of a broader government strategy to deepen cooperation with China, which remains South Africa’s largest trading partner. Mashatile highlighted that by investing in South Africa, companies like Mindray gain a strategic base to serve the wider African continent through the African Continental Free Trade Area. This access to one of the world’s fastest growing markets is being positioned as a primary incentive for international medical manufacturers.
To facilitate this potential expansion, Mashatile encouraged the company to utilise the InvestSA One Stop Shop facility. This government initiative acts as a single point of contact for investors, streamlining administrative processes, regulatory matters, permits, and licensing. By reducing red tape, the government hopes to attract advanced digital health transformation and healthcare skills development to local shores.
The proposed partnership also includes the potential establishment of centres of excellence and training facilities. Mashatile noted that the government is particularly interested in creating links between Mindray and South African universities, hospitals, and research institutions. This collaboration is viewed as a critical step in strengthening the country’s healthcare capabilities and promoting essential knowledge exchange in the field of medical technology.
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