Medical Clothing Market Trends

Growth Drivers:

• High prevalence of zoonotic diseases: Ebola virus, avian flu, salmonellosis, COVID-19, etc. are some of the most dangerous zoonotic diseases affecting the entire globe. According to data released by the World Health Organization in 2020, there are over 200 known types of zoonotic diseases. Additionally, Affinity, a London-based disease forecasting company conducted risk modeling and suggested that there are 27.5% chance of another COVID-like pandemic in the coming years. Governments all across the globe are focusing on pandemic preparedness fueling the medical clothing market expansion.
• Rising investment and expenditure on healthcare: The surge in healthcare expenditure has accelerated the manufacturing of medical clothing at a rapid pace to facilitate their use at every healthcare facility. According to the World Economic Forum in 2021, global expenditure on health reached USD 9.8 trillion, registering 10.3% of the worldwide GDP. The rising investment in healthcare helps establish a robust infrastructure for the population. Hence, the higher investment and expenditure on healthcare is driving the growth of the market.
• Rising instances of hospital-acquired infections: A good quality medical clothing is important for preventing HAIs. Researchers suggest that clothing can be a conveyor for the infection. For instance, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control stated that 65% of the time nurses and doctors pick up the bacteria while leaning over a patient with MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aures). Also, a report published by the World Health Organization in 2023, estimated that every year 136 million incidences of hospital-related antibiotic-resistant infections occur globally. To avoid these infections, hospitals are giving utmost importance to using medical clothing while interacting with patients.

Challenges:

• Lack of skilled professionals: A lack of skilled medical staff is anticipated to push the population further away from using medical clothing. The absence of proper training and investments by the hospitals is a major growth-restricting factor for the medical clothing market.
• Stringent regulatory policies: There are strict norms associated with making medical clothing and manufacturers are required to adhere to these norms. Due to this, market players are apprehensive about investing in or expanding the medical clothing market.