Foreign aid the prescription for medical device makers' drive

Diagnostic devices in great demand; small orders and diverse mix of products are common

Chinese medical device makers should take the opportunities stemming from foreign aid projects to promote their products and establish their brands globally, especially in developing markets, government officials and industry insiders said on Monday.

According to Lu Feng, director of the department of aid to foreign countries under the Ministry of Commerce, an important part of China's assistance to foreign nations has been medical care aid, including the construction of hospitals with medical equipment, donation of drugs and medical devices, as well as equipment and facility upgrading projects in old medical institutions built by Chinese firms.