The global outlook series on Healthcare Services provides a collection of statistical anecdotes, market briefs, and concise summaries of research findings. The report details the prevailing situation in the world healthcare delivery system, and provides extensive coverage of all the recent mergers, and acquisitions that have irreversibly changed the industry’s landscape. The scenario in the US market i.e. organization of the delivery system and its pitfalls, the impact of IT, and healthcare information technology spending, mounting cost pressures, operational efficiencies, the role of managed care companies, and the regulatory framework, have all been captured for a greater macro level understanding of the market. Other markets briefly summarized to offer the reader a prelude to regional level dynamics include Canada, Mexico, Europe, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Switzerland, Sweden, Turkey, UK, Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Singapore, South Korea, Vietnam, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Africa, Egypt, and Ghana, among others. Also included is an indexed, easy-to-refer, fact-finder directory listing the addresses, and contact details of 262 companies worldwide.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

HEALTHCARE SERVICES			GOS-038
A GLOBAL OUTLOOK, SEPTEMBER 2008


                                           CONTENTS



  1. Overview                                                           1
      Global Healthcare IT Market: 2007                                 1

  2. Mergers & Acquisitions                                             2

  3. Strategic Corporate Development                                    53

  4. Product/Service Launches                                           55

  5. A North American Perspective                                       56

  5a. United States                                                     56
      Overview                                                          56
      Efficacy in Healthcare Services - The Solution to Perennial
       Issues                                                           56
      Healthcare Delivery at Residential Locations -  The Perfect
       Strategy                                                         57
      Characteristics of the Healthcare Industry                        57
       Growing Cost Concerns                                            57
        Table 1: Healthcare Industry in the US  (2005 & 2006):
        Percentage Breakdown of Healthcare Product Sales by Customer
        Category/Distribution Channel - Chain Drug Stores,
        Discounters and Food Stores, Chain Warehouse Sales,
        Independent Drug Stores, Hospitals and HMOs, Specialty
        Pharmacies, Clinics and Nursing Homes, Mail Order, Other
        Distributors, Government Sales, & Other Customers               58

        Table 2: US Healthcare Market Analyzed with Annual
        Expenditure in US$ Trillion  for Years 2003 through 2008        58
       Complexity of Science and Technology                             59
       Chronic Conditions                                               59
       Organization of the Delivery System                              59
       Information Technology                                           59
       Consumer Perspective                                             60
      Regulatory Framework                                              60
      Operational Efficiency - Need of the Hour                         60
      Pitfalls                                                          60
      Healthcare Information Technology (H.I.T.) Spending               61
       Table 3: Healthcare Industry in the US (2007): Survey of
       Hospitals Regarding Degree of Technology Used by Region -
       West South Central, South Atlantic, East North Central, West
       North Central, Pacific, Middle Atlantic, East South Central,
       Mountain, and New England                                        61

       Table 4: Healthcare Industry in the US (2007): Survey of
       Hospitals Regarding Degree of Technology Used by Location -
       Urban & Rural                                                    61
       PACS System                                                      61
       CPOE Systems                                                     61
      Outlook                                                           62
      Market Players                                                    62
       Healthcare Service Firms                                         62
       Managed Care Companies                                           62
       Pharmaceutical Players                                           62

  5b. Canada                                                            63
      Overview                                                          63
      Medical Suppliers                                                 63
      Market Players                                                    63

  5c. Mexico                                                            63
      Current Trends                                                    63
       Diabetes and Obesity Incidence                                   63
       Medical Exports from US                                          64

  6. An European Perspective                                            64
      Overview                                                          64
      The HIS Market in Europe                                          64
       Table 5: European Medical Technologies Market by Country -
       Germany, France, Italy, UK, Spain, Netherlands, Sweden,
       Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Norway, Denmark, Portugal,
       Hungary, and Slovakian Markets Independently Analyzed with
       Annual Expenditure in € Billion for Years 2003 through 2008      65
      The Role of Internet in Healthcare                                65
       Table 6: European Healthcare Market by  Country - Germany,
       France, Italy, UK, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium,
       Austria, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Hungary, and
       Slovakian Markets Independently Analyzed with Annual
       Expenditure in € Billion for Years 2003 through 2008             66

  6a. Denmark                                                           67
      Overview                                                          67

  6b. Germany                                                           67
      Healthcare System                                                 67
      SHI Modernization Act                                             67

  6c. Italy                                                             67
      Overview                                                          67

  6d. Poland                                                            68
      Overview                                                          68

  6e. Portugal                                                          68
      Overview                                                          68

  6f. Russia                                                            68
      Market Trends                                                     68
       Healthcare Services - An Overview                                68
       Government Initiatives                                           68
       Inhibiting Factors                                               68
       Insurance System                                                 68
      Outlook                                                           69

  6g. Switzerland                                                       69
      Overview                                                          69
      Few Affluent Facts                                                69
      Swiss Orthopedic & Rehabilitation Equipment                       69

  6h. Sweden                                                            70
      Telemedicine - Gaining Acceptance                                 70
      The Role of Information Technology                                70
      Market Trends                                                     70

  6i. Turkey                                                            70
      Overview                                                          70
      Outlook                                                           70

  6j. United Kingdom                                                    71
      Overview                                                          71
      National Health Service (NHS)                                     71
      Insurance Premium Market in the UK                                71
       Table 7: UK Critical Illness Insurance Market Analyzed with
       Annual Premiums in GBP Million  for Years 2003 through 2008        71
      In-Vitro Diagnostics                                              71
      Laboratory Technology                                             72
      DH International                                                  72
      Healthcare Products                                               72
       Table 8: Summer Healthcare Products in the  UK (2006): Sales
       in GBP Million by Product Type - Sun Preparations, Hayfever
       Remedies, and Topical Antiseptics                                72

  7. An Asia-Pacific Perspective                                        72

  7a. Australia                                                         72
      Witnessing Good Growth                                            72
      Telecare System                                                   72
      Market Structure                                                  73
      Private Vs Public Hospitals                                       73
      National Health Care Funding System                               73
      Market Trends in Hospital Care                                    74
      Healthcare System Access                                          74
      Range of Services                                                 74
      Aged and Community Care System                                    74
       Challenges Ahead                                                 74
      Industry Forecasts Peak Sales                                     75
      Continence Maintenance                                            75
      Australian Medical Equipment Market                               75
      The Role of Information Technology                                75
      Outlook                                                           75
      Strategic Corporate Development                                   76
       Advancements in GP Surgery                                       76

  7b. China                                                             76
      China's Healthcare Industry                                       76
       Table 9: Healthcare Spending as Percentage  of GDP
       (2001-2012)                                                      77

  7c. India                                                             77
      Overview                                                          77
      Growth in Population & Incomes Drive  Demand for Better
       Healthcare                                                       78
      Waning Financials of Healthcare System in the West Favors India   78
      Rise in Diseases Fuels Growth in the Industry                     78
      Inhibiting Factors                                                78
      Inadequate Infrastructure adding Woes                             78
      Health Insurance, Gaining Prominence                              78
      Accreditation, Becoming a Norm Among Indian Healthcare Providers  79
      Tertiary Sector - Growing Market                                  79

  7d. Indonesia                                                         79
      Market Trends                                                     79

  7e. Singapore                                                         80
      Market Trends                                                     80
       National Disability Insurance Scheme -  Elder Shield             80
       Rising Demands                                                   80
       The Role of the US                                               80
       Market Access                                                    80
      Outlook                                                           81

  7f. South Korea                                                       81
      Government Initiatives                                            81
      End-Users                                                         81
      Market Access                                                     81

  7g. Vietnam                                                           82
      Overview                                                          82

  8. A Latin American Perspective                                       82

  8a. Argentina                                                         82

  8b. Chile                                                             82
      New Health Insurance Opportunities in Chile                       82
      Chile Targets Key Illnesses for Treatment through AUGE            82

  9. A Middle East Perspective                                          83
      Overview                                                          83

  9a. Israel                                                            83
      Overview                                                          83
      Healthcare Management Services                                    84

  9b. Jordan                                                            84
      Overview                                                          84

  9c. Lebanon                                                           84
      Overview                                                          84

  9d. Palestine                                                         84
      An Overview                                                       84

  9e. Saudi Arabia                                                      85
      Overview                                                          85

  10. An African Perspective                                            85
      Overview                                                          85
      Market Trends                                                     85
       Economic Disparities                                             85
       HCS Delivery                                                     85
       Government Initiatives                                           86
      Future Plans                                                      86
      Customer Analysis                                                 86
      Market Access - Barriers to Trade                                 87

  10a. Egypt                                                            87
      Overview                                                          87
      Outlook                                                           88
      Overall Literacy Rate Counts for Healthcare Advancement           88
      Customer Analysis                                                 88

  10b.Ghana                                                             88
      Market Trends                                                     88
       Market Profile                                                   88
       Shortage of Medical Personnel and  Equipment                     89
       Competitive Factors                                              89
      EXIM Market                                                       89


 GLOBAL DIRECTORY