Q: Could you provide an overview on Flexicare?
A: Headquartered in the UK, Flexicare is a key medical device manufacturer, and supplier to the NHS and private medical institutions. Launched in 1989, the company has established its domain in more than 110 countries around the globe through subsidiaries, and appointed distributors in the US, South America, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, India, Malaysia, South Korea, China, Japan and Australia.

With over 40 years of experience in the design, development and manufacture of medical devices, Flexicare’s anaesthesia and respiratory portfolio has developed a world-class reputation in the market.

Q: What motivated Flexicare Group to establish a medical device manufacturing site in Sri Lanka?
A: We were looking to establish another purpose built manufacturing facility to expand our operations to be able to supply to the ever growing demand. Sri Lanka was among our preferred locations due to various factors such as feasibility of legislation and availability of the workforce.

The facility based in Bandaragama – on which construction began in 2019 – was officially unveiled by the finance minister on 17 November, positioning Flexicare as the first to establish a fully fledged facility for medical consumables and devices in the island.

This is a Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) approved project with a total investment of more than US$ 15 million.

Q: How would you describe market opportunities in this sector?
A: On the basis of end users, the continued increase in demand for medical devices is largely driven by the ageing population with healthcare conditions. Among those that have been identified are cardiovascular diseases, malignant neoplasms, respiratory diseases, sense organ diseases and neuropsychiatric conditions.

The global medical devices market is growing at a compound annual growth rate of five percent. Medical device manufacturers will continue to face increased pressure from healthcare service providers to meet market requirements

With a vision to cater to this demand, the factory in Bandaragama was established to export a substantial number of the products manufactured. According to our projections, over 90 percent of the total production will be exported to Flexicare distributors and subsidiaries around the globe.

Q: What role is the medical device manufacturing sector playing in COVID-19 response efforts?
A: The medical device manufacturing sector was compelled to adapt to meet the challenges of this constantly evolving situation. Supply chains too have been disrupted while continuing operations has been a massive concern and challenge.

According to research, 15 percent of individuals with COVID-19 develop moderate to severe symptoms, and require hospitalisation and oxygen support. And a further five percent need to be admitted to an ICU and supportive therapies, including intubation and ventilation.

Accordingly, the demand for personal protective equipment (PPE), and certain life sustaining and lifesaving devices such as ventilators, skyrocketed with many companies struggling to keep pace.

Flexicare Group has been instrumental in ensuring that urgent medical devices – including full PPE kits and noninvasive ventilation (NIV), such as bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) – were made available across the world.

Q: How will the organisation contribute to economic growth, in your opinion?
A: I believe that Flexicare will stimulate the local community and economy in various ways. As an export oriented company, we aim to bring in substantial foreign exchange to the country.

Furthermore, we have provided employment to over 150 employees within the fully commercialised manufacturing site. The creation of jobs helps reduce the country’s unemployment rate, which translates into higher incomes and equips the population with more buying power, thereby boosting the national economy.

Additionally, skills that employees obtain through training and experience can boost education and human capital, and the introduction of newer and enhanced technologies can lead to the manufacturing industry’s enhanced efficiency and effectiveness.

Q: What is in store for the medical device manufacturing sector and Flexicare?
A: The global market for medical devices is huge, and will continue to garner substantial and steady growth in the future.

As for Flexicare Lanka, it is said to be not only the first medical device manufacturer in Sri Lanka but also the first entity to introduce terminal ethylene oxide (EtO) sterilisation technology to the country. This involves ensuring EtO penetration and sterilising, which enables us to produce sterile products for clinical environments.

As the company launches the factory’s operations in full capacity, we intend to recruit more employees, providing new opportunities to the local community.

In addition, Sri Lanka can expect a second state-of-the-art medical device manufacturing site in due course.

– Compiled by Isanka Perera
INTERVIEWEE DETAILS
Ghassem Poormand
Chairman
CONTACT DETAILS
Telephone:038 2289992
Email:info@flexicare.lk
Website:www.flexicare.com