Private healthcare intends to cater to 50% of the country and invest in technology
DCI
The health sector keeps at broad expansion in the country, generating nearly R$ 300 billion (US$ 176.5 billion) a year, and being responsible for 7% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Competitive and with the goal of reaching half of the population (not just the economically active part of the population) in the coming years, the companies of the area (whether they are healthcare plans, laboratory plans, hospitals or even drugstores) announce plans to grow, and for 2011 are alert to the trends like: increased range of products and services offered, use of new technologies and the increase and training of personnel, according to a recent survey made by Amcham Brazil.
With net profits 56% greater than last year, nearly R$ 130 million (US$ 73.9 million), compared to the previous year, Grupo Fleury announced the growth of 13.9% in its gross income last year - which reached R$ 934.5 million (US$ 531 million). "The significant results in 2010 were achieved, especially due to the optimization of the network of service units, increase of the portfolio of services and strong growth of our hospital operations and services of preventive medicine", said the former President Mauro Figueiredo.
The thermometer is the industry equipment and supplies for the healthcare sector that grew 18% in 2010 compared to 2009. And speaking of growth, dental care has grown 230% in the last 5 years - but it still achieves only 7.2% of the population. In the case of the healthcare company, the Bradesco Saúde operator has also featured impressive results. The company had earnings of R$ 5.9 billion (US$ 3.4 billion) last year. The highlight was the increase in the portfolio of small and medium-sized companies, which featured growth of 35.9% compared to the prior year. As regards SulAmérica, which also sells services intended for medical treatment, it reported it registered, in 2010, net profit of R$ 614 million (US$ 348.9 million). Nearly 63% of the operations of the company correspond to healthcare plans. The good performance of SulAmérica in the sector is explained by the sale of new plans and for the adjustments made to the existing policies.