Buying Versus Leasing: A Decision-Making Guide for Medical Equipment
The acquisition of high-value, complex medical equipment poses significant strategic and operational challenges. These stem not only from the upfront investment required but also from the infrastructure, human resources, and ongoing operational costs necessary to ensure sustained and effective use.
Alternative ownership models, such as leasing, can help ensure essential medical equipment remains functional, maintained, and available over its lifecycle. By shifting some or all responsibilities of equipment ownership and management to the private sector, leasing can alleviate the burden on ministries of health, introduce predictable financing mechanisms, and potentially improve equipment uptime. This guide provides a structured framework to support decision-making on when and where leasing may offer advantages over direct purchase and ownership.
Publication date: March 2026