Health Publications

May 3, 2022

Creating Markets in Fiji: Country Private Sector Diagnostic

The Fiji Country Private Sector Diagnostic (CPSD) provides IFC and World Bank analysis of challenges and opportunities for investment and economic growth.

English | 104 pages | 2022 IFC

Apr 25, 2022

Case Study: Integrated Diagnostics Holdings

Integrated Diagnostics Holdings (IDH), a Cairo-based network of testing laboratories that operates in Egypt, Jordan, Nigeria, and Sudan, has demonstrated how a private-sector testing laboratory can contribute to the overall health and well-being of a region.

Mar 11, 2022

Creating Markets in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Country Private Sector Diagnostic

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) Country Private Sector Diagnostic (CPSD) provides IFC and World Bank analysis of growth and investment opportunities, constraints, and policy recommendations.

English - 112 pages | French - 126 pages | 2022 IFC

Jan 31, 2022

Case Study: Grupo Roemmers

There’s something special about companies that last 100 years. Comparatively few large companies do, and very few of those were founded in emerging economies. But last year, Grupo Roemmers, based in Buenos Aires, celebrated its 100th anniversary. This pharmaceutical company limited its business to Argentina until the mid-1970s. Since then, it has grown rapidly throughout Latin America and the Caribbean through a very effective strategy and management style. It sets up separate businesses for each country or local area where it does business. It gives local leaders autonomy to make decisions but engenders a deep commitment to the Roemmers culture and management system. And it sells affordable generic prescription pharmaceuticals with a mix tailored to the aging populations of each local market.

Oct 18, 2021

Case Study: Neolpharma

In the pharmaceutical industry around the world, a noteworthy kind of company is stepping onto the global stage. These are energetic, innovative family businesses launched in emerging economies. They often begin as manufacturers of low-cost medications and build their capabilities until they can expand beyond their home countries. One such company, well known in Mexico, is Grupo Neolpharma. It began as a maker of low-cost, generic medications for central nervous system (CNS) ailments, such as Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, migraines, schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety. Its primary customer at first was Mexico’s public health system, which gave it a solid revenue stream. Then it branched out into different forms of manufacturing, including the manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) used by other pharmaceutical companies. Now it is competing through process and product innovation and geographic expansion.

Sep 15, 2021

Case Study: New Crystal Health Services

With the public healthcare system overcrowded, and the private sector usually catering to the wealthier middle class, New Crystal is helping meet Ghana’s growing health needs, especially for the low income segment, and sustaining itself as a business by filling this gap in demand for care.

May 26, 2021

Case Study: Grupo Conclina

The largest private hospital in Ecuador, Hospital Metropolitano in Quito, also has one of the strongest reputations for quality of care. This is not an accident; the company’s culture and day-to-day practices have been shaped by major choices that its leaders have made through its history.

Apr 12, 2021

Case Study: Nyaho

For 51 years, Nyaho, Ghana’s oldest medical practice, has balanced the twin goals of supporting public health and managing a viable business. In 2020, its capabilities were put to the test by the Covid-19 pandemic. Nyaho Medical Center became an active participant in the country’s response.

English | 12 pages | IFC 2021

Mar 16, 2021

A Guide to Contracting for Health Services During the Covid-19 Pandemic

This primer, developed jointly by the WHO and IFC, offers a practical introduction to contracting the private sector in support of national COVID-19 responses.

English | 31 pages | 2021, WHO and IFC

Feb 1, 2021

Case Study: Granules

In this case study, we look at the factors that have led to Granules’ successes. We also explore the ambitions and context that have led its leaders to position themselves for rapid global expansion, after 30 years of steady growth.

English | 16 pages | IFC 2021

Jan 26, 2021

Creating Markets in Ukraine: Country Private Sector Diagnostic

The Ukraine Country Private Sector Diagnostic (CPSD) provides IFC & World Bank analysis of growth and investment opportunities, constraints, & policy recommendations.

English | 154 pages | 2021 IFC

Jan 19, 2021

Case Study: Pyramid Group

In this oral history-based case study, four executives at Pyramid Group and one of their hospitalbased customers discuss how the company developed its business and what underlies its successes. There is a great deal to learn from their experience. They have designed a streamlined supply chain for healthcare products. Moreover, they have created a strategic regimen for sales, installation, and support for complex medical equipment such as CT-scan and MRI machines, X-ray devices, and critical care equipment.

Sep 30, 2020

Artificial Intelligence and Healthcare in Emerging Markets

Significant investments in health technology, including those using digital health and artificial intelligence, are expected to contribute to bridging the health service gap in emerging markets, given the potential of these new innovations to reach underserved patients. Many health-tech innovators are integrating AI into their product solutions, with early examples showing promise in improving diagnoses, reducing costs, and enabling access to remote health services.

English | 8 pages — September — Note 91 | IFC 2020

Jan 8, 2020

Briefing Paper: Enabling Health Technology in Emerging Markets

A briefing paper from the IFC Health Technology Think Tank discussion at the 2019 Global Private Healthcare Conference

Dec 9, 2019

Briefing Paper: Improving Access and Affordability for Biopharmaceuticals in Emerging Markets

A briefing paper from the Biopharmaceutical Think Tank discussion at the 2019 IFC Global Private Health Care Conference

English | 10 pages | Dec 2019

Nov 25, 2019

Briefing Paper: Public-Private Partnerships for Emerging Market Health

A briefing paper from the IFC Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Think Tank discussion at the 2019 Global Private Health Care Conference

Jun 27, 2019

Case Study: A Retail Approach to Diabetes Care

Clinicas del Azucar is disrupting existing models for treating diabetes through its one-stop-shop, convenient approach. Patients pay an affordable membership subscription that covers lab tests, screenings, lifestyle education and coaching. By integrating how it provides care, Clinicas is able to reduce the number of appointments patients need to manage their diabetes. More than 63 percent of patients have met their goals for maintaining blood sugar levels and have their diabetes under control, preventing often life-threatening complications. Clinicas’ model offers an approach that could revolutionize the way diabetes is treated in low- and middle-income countries. Learn more in our latest case study.

English | 26 pages | 2019 IFC

May 28, 2019

Insights from Miami Series

This series of four briefs summarize the discussions from a think-tank session held on the margins of IFC’s Global Private Healthcare Conference 2019 on the topics of Senior Care, Biopharma, Public-Private Partnerships, and Insurance.

Mar 18, 2019

Women's Leadership in Health

Despite women’s employment as doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health care personnel, available data consistently shows a lack of gender parity in leadership.

English | 40 pages | March 2019 | IFC

Mar 18, 2019

Create a Culture, not a Checklist

This study provides insights into how hospitals and clinics in emerging markets can improve patient safety and embed quality in the culture of the organization. It also shares experience of three IFC clients who have achieved remarkable results in “living quality every day.”

English | 24 pages | March 2019 | IFC

Mar 15, 2019

CASE STUDY: BioE

Giving Millions of Children a Healthy Start in Life

English | 19 pages | March 2019 | IFC

Feb 15, 2019

CASE STUDY: PROCAPS

Encapsulating High Quality, Safety and Trust in Softgel Medications that Reach People in Over 50 Countries

English | 21 pages | February 2019 | IFC

Dec 12, 2018

Goodlife Pharmacy

Goodlife Pharmacy offers safe, high-quality medicine to consumers in Kenya and Uganda, including lower-income 'emerging consumers'. Ultimately, Goodlife aims to become a health hub—a one-stop-shop to meet basic primary health care needs through pharmaceuticals and health care services. In the four years since it was founded in 2014, Goodlife has become East Africa’s largest pharmacy chain.

Nov 15, 2018

CASE STUDY: Georgia Healthcare Group

Making Modern Healthcare Affordable in a Small Country

English | 30 pages | November 2018 | IFC

Sep 6, 2018

CASE STUDY: Saudi German Hospitals

Commitment to Quality Healthcare in War and Peace in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)

English | 25 pages | September, 2018 | IFC