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EF: Could you describe the footprint of ZEISS in South Africa, and what role does medical technology play in your African operations?
SC: ZEISS South Africa is responsible for all direct-to-market business of the ZEISS Group in the Sub-Saharan Africa region. Our main businesses in South Africa are medical technology, microscopy for medicine, research and industry, industrial quality solutions, and consumer business that covers spectacles, binoculars, spotting scopes, sports optics, and lenses for film and photography.
From a medical technology perspective, our major focus is ophthalmology. We are a market leader in ophthalmology technology, diagnostics, and solutions for conditions such as cataracts. We offer complete surgical solutions ranging from surgical microscopes to intraocular lenses for our customers and their patients. On the diagnostic side, we have a full suite of solutions, such as Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and Humphrey Field Analyzers (HFA), to enable treatment of conditions such as Glaucoma and Retina disease.
According to the WHO, Visual impairment is a significant issue in Africa. Approximately 26.3 million people in the African Region have visual impairment, and up to 15.3% of the world's blind population live in Africa(1). In addition, 550 million people need glasses to correct refractive errors. Cataract surgery is not difficult to treat and is low-cost. To overcome this, we work closely with other organizations. We also support other regions with our equipment and service setup.
One aspect which will become important in Africa is remote care. ZEISS has been researching and working on telemedicine solutions that connect ophthalmologists with new point-of-care diagnostics. At ZEISS, we call this Connected Care. This means one can capture images of the patient's eyes in a rural area and have the photos remotely analyzed by experts. Remote diagnostics are already established in other disciplines. A current challenge to implementing remote diagnostics and the associated infrastructure in rural areas in Africa is finding the correct partners.
Another pillar of our medical technology business is microsurgery. The surgical microscope is a fundamental tool for performing s in the medical fields of neuro, ENT, spine, plastic, and reconstructive microsurgery. ZEISS is a leader in this segment, offering solutions such as our robotic visualization system ZEISS KINEVO 900 and integrated workflows to support the task at hand.
Another of Africa's major healthcare challenges revolves around training and the availability of skills. In December 2022, we opened the ZEISS Academy Africa in Johannesburg. It represents a significant investment towards skills development, and we are using this academy to train students, surgeons, and research scientists on state-of-the-art equipment in disciplines like ophthalmology, dentistry, and microsurgery, as well as focusing on the latest laboratory techniques. The key focus of our training center is to allow African medical professionals and researchers to get high-quality training in Africa without the need to go to Europe, the US, or Japan. There has been quite a bit of interest in our training programs, and we are keen to replicate the model in other countries. Of course, you cannot just place surgical equipment in Africa; you need to ensure the proper standard of training for the equipment users. The cost of training in the US or Germany is significantly higher than doing them on the continent.
In research microscopy, ZEISS has been actively involved in the African Microscopy Initiative (AMI). This project has funding from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and instruments from ZEISS. It is hosted at the University of Cape Town. The project gives African scientists free access to high-end research microscopes. Since there is a lack of infrastructure and investment for equipment to do research in Africa, the AMI center enables access to technology required for pathological disease research. Scientists can conduct research and training at this core imaging facility center. These scientists return to their home countries and can apply this knowledge to deepen their local research.
Furthermore, access to these technologies enables the possibility for international collaboration projects and competitive funding applications to drive African research forward. Access to imaging modalities allows scientists to detect and identify diseases such as COVID early. The pandemic showed us how important early detection is. Equipment for microscopic analysis of viruses and bacteria is critical to staying up-to-date and informed on new diseases. Supporting this initiative would also allow rural areas or regions to get this type of equipment and people who can utilize it.
EF: What is the current operating structure of the African Microscopy Initiative for collecting and processing samples in rural areas?
SC: Scientists apply to the AMI with a research proposal. Approved proposals will receive fully paid grants to come and work in the AMI for up to four weeks. During these research sessions, the visiting scientist can access top-range research microscopes. They are supported by experienced imaging scientists who train them in all aspects, including sample preparation, imaging processing, and interpretation. Currently, African scientists do not always have access to complex equipment. Still, the AMI center enables training and educating researchers on the important role of imaging in pathological and disease research. As scientists start producing results, they can use this as motivation in grant and funding applications to acquire similar imaging systems in their regions. If they have access to systems locally, this will encourage international collaboration and partnerships. The Covid pandemic has shown the powerful impact of scientific partnership and cooperation and how this can alleviate disease burden.
In the past, Africa has experienced a delay in adopting and utilizing advanced equipment due to various historical factors. However, our training initiatives aim to address these challenges effectively. By providing comprehensive training, we strive to bridge the gap and foster connections among experts. This network enables them to engage in consultations, seek assistance, and share knowledge, promoting a more robust and proficient usage of complex equipment across the continent.
EF: Cataracts are one of the major burdens in eye care in Africa. How can we increase awareness of the low-cost solution and get more people treated?
SC: Just like diabetes, cataracts form slowly. The problem arises when your vision becomes severely impaired or the onset of total blindness. While corrective surgical procedures for these conditions are available, there are not enough surgeons in the region to perform this surgery. The ratio of doctors to patients is quite concerning in Africa. Patient waiting times can range from months to years in certain areas of Africa. We need more medical practitioners to be trained in using our equipment. You only need a few tools to perform the surgery.
Several NGOs try to help in these countries, and we are working to get more people involved in our training initiatives. The more trained doctors we have, the more patients can get treatment.
We also need early detection for other eye-related diseases, such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy.
Although cataracts are the first major topic we address, we also recognize the need to focus on eyeglasses. Eyeglasses are fundamental for sight correction. But again, getting an eye test is not easy for someone living in a rural area. We are working on improving access in rural areas and urban cities and making it affordable. While we offer premium solutions for premium needs, we also have a broad range of options for basic sight correction.
By the way, the main cause of cataracts is the UV radiation that reaches our eyes. And because prevention is always better than cure, all ZEISS lenses, including all-day clear lenses, come with full UV protection. ZEISS UV Protect technology helps to prevent cataracts and other eye conditions.
EF: When working with other companies or institutions, what are the key elements you are looking for in your partners?
SC: Firstly, we look for viable partners with the same values and business approach. We look for long-term partnerships, especially in the distribution sector. We need distribution partners who can maintain the quality of our products and train our customers professionally. We look for strong and reliable partners as distributors or as business partners where we can build a long-term partnership.
Our company is over 175 years old, and we have been in South Africa for over 80 years. We have a long history. Carl Zeiss and his partner Ernst Abbe started the first partnerships with universities and partners from academia and beyond. That made ZEISS so successful even in the 19th century. So, part of our DNA is having long-term, quality relationships that build new and innovative projects.
EF: How are you implementing Artificial Intelligence in your collaborations?
SC: As a leader in digital solutions, ZEISS sets standards for new ways to manage care at scale. Using data insights and integrated workflow solutions with artificial intelligence adds value to managing disease progression and optimizing clinical practices. ZEISS continues to focus on developing digital solutions and creating a roadmap for improved care.
EF: What contributed to the growth of your medical technology unit in the Sub-Saharan region?
SC: Globally, the Sub-Saharan Africa region is, from a financial point of view, not a significant contributor to global economic growth. Predictions indicate that one-quarter of the world's population 2050 will be in Africa. We are closely monitoring Africa's trajectory. Our focus and planning are long-term. We know which regions will be crucial in the future. Investing in the ZEISS Academy in Africa showed us that we take Africa seriously.
Our presence in Africa is a long-term project. We are using our experience to develop the market in many areas. We are market leaders, and one of our responsibilities is to build a market and prepare it for innovation. We aim to achieve that goal by supporting these activities in the region. I believe that the group sees Africa as important for its long-term goals, which is one reason I accepted this role in South Africa.
Africa is special. Looking at all the macroeconomic topics, such as the growing young population and natural resources, Africa has potential, and we need to recognize it. Our headquarters is open to investments in Africa. We are working closely with our headquarters to develop projects for Africa.
EF: What skills do you look for when you want to grow your South African team?
SC: With all these investments, we have seen quite a bit of growth in the organization. To provide our service to the customers, we need qualified and flexible people. They must be willing to travel within Africa and technically capable. Training for medical products is cost-intensive. We have qualified people in South Africa who can train our people locally, so we don't have to send them to our headquarters. South Africa has an incredibly young population, and the potential to find people open and willing to work is high. ZEISS has a high-tech training infrastructure where people can attend virtual interactive training.
EF: How do you see healthcare developing in the country?
SC: Food and healthcare are crucial needs in the African region. Healthcare is especially critical in this region, and there is still a big gap in the quality offered, even in South Africa. The need for good healthcare is especially evident in rural areas. There are a lot of gaps where we still need to develop healthcare and set up strong hospital infrastructure. The government is making a big effort to invest in rural areas, but more still needs to be done. There are highly qualified doctors in the country representing South Africa globally. South Africa will host the World Federation of Neurosurgery (WFNS) in Cape Town this year, a prestigious and selected healthcare event.
EF: What achievements over the last three years since your arrival would you like to celebrate?
SC: The investments we made were crucial. We have made a substantial investment in Africa specifically. We have a strong team and can make some changes in the country and the continent. As a company with over 80 years of history in South Africa, I will do my best to keep the company on a growth path and give it a positive trajectory on this journey. The team and the organization are always here to serve our customers and those in Africa.
