Read the Conversation
Meeting Highlights:
- Accelerating Market Entry & Investment: Dräger is advancing its 2030 strategy by bringing products and investments to Mexico earlier, leveraging its strong reputation and trust in the market.
- Leading in Neonatology & Green Hospital Solutions: The company has introduced cutting-edge solutions for neonatal ICUs and is at the forefront of developing sustainable, eco-friendly hospital technologies.
- Driving Digitalization in Healthcare: Dräger is developing integrated medical devices that capture and utilize data to enhance operational efficiency in operating rooms and improve patient outcomes.
- Commitment to Medical Education: Through collaborations with universities, Dräger is strengthening ties between academia and the medtech industry, fostering innovation and skill development.
- Mexico as a Key Investment Destination: Recognizing Mexico's resilience, skilled workforce, and strong production conditions, Dräger sees significant opportunities in the healthcare sector. However, a key challenge remains- uniting industry players to push for infrastructure development and expand hospital networks.
EF: What is the key to trust in healthcare?
PB: Building trust in healthcare relies on doctors constantly learning and adopting new procedures as technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace. Working in the medical device industry, I witnessed firsthand the incredible effort behind developing innovations that help patients recover faster and leave the ICU sooner. Companies are making significant investments in research and development to support doctors in providing effective treatments, reinforcing confidence in the future of healthcare.
More than ever, companies are prioritizing support for doctors in ICUs, ensuring patients spend only the necessary time in critical care.
EF: How is Dräger exploring new opportunities in Mexico, and how does this align with your 2030 expansion plan? How do you ensure consistent quality across both public and private healthcare sectors?
PB: Quality remains our top priority, regardless of whether public or private institutions purchase the equipment. We do not differentiate between markets—instead, we focus on providing hospitals with the right technology to meet their specific needs. For instance, if a hospital specializes in high-complexity procedures, we recommend the most suitable devices for those treatments.
From our perspective, maintaining consistently high quality across both sectors is essential. Last year, we discussed the development of over 66 hospitals, many of which have already opened. We are collaborating with several private hospitals as they expand. On the public side, institutions have opened new hospitals, with more expected to follow this year. We are supplying technology to support these developments.
We strive to engage with hospitals from the earliest planning stages. Through our Solution Center, we assist in designing ICUs and operating rooms, ensuring they are optimized for efficiency. Hospitals can visualize their layouts using 3D modelling and other advanced tools before construction begins, allowing for adjustments in advance.
As for our 2030 strategy, we are making strong progress and remain committed to supporting healthcare development in Mexico.
EF: Dräger has launched a Neonatal Solution and Green Anaesthesia devices. Are these being introduced and installed in Mexico?
PB: We launched this initiative late last year after receiving approval and began selling the Babyroo TN300 open care warmer, our latest neonatal ICU device. The market response has been very positive, and we are now installing these devices in hospitals across Mexico.
As for the Green Anaesthesia solutions, our team in Lübeck is actively working on ways to help hospitals reduce CO2 emissions. One key focus is optimizing our devices to minimize environmental contaminants. Additionally, we are providing hospitals with training on using these technologies more efficiently to lower their ecological impact.
EF: How is Dräger integrating data-driven solutions into healthcare through its products? How are automation processes being implemented in hospitals, and how are these digital solutions being adopted in countries like Mexico?
PB: Our devices are now more connected to hospital networks, improving integration and efficiency. We provide a range of digital tools that enable hospitals to access critical information and enhance productivity by leveraging data from our devices.
In Mexico, we’re seeing a faster adoption of these technologies. Many hospitals actively seek advanced digital solutions, with growing interest in intelligent operating rooms and integrated systems. We are involved in an increasing number of projects where we can deliver comprehensive solutions to support this transformation.
EF: How are you training healthcare professionals on the new technologies you’re introducing in the country?
PB: Our Academy Department offers a wide range of training programs, from basic to advanced levels, helping hospital staff maximize the effectiveness of our devices and use the data they generate to improve patient care.
Beyond hospitals, we also collaborate with universities, welcoming students from related fields to our company monthly. At our showroom, they get hands-on experience with our products, preparing them for the technologies they’ll encounter in their careers. We believe it is crucial to engage with students early on, ensuring they are well-equipped to contribute to the future of healthcare.
EF: If you could share a message with future generations, why should they consider a career in healthcare?
PB: Healthcare is one of the few industries where you truly feel you are making a difference—even if you are not directly working with patients. The impact of our work extends beyond the devices themselves; it helps not just the patients but also their families.
Every time I walk into our showroom and see the cribs for premature babies, I’m reminded that our work isn’t just about technology—it’s about life. It is about reassuring parents that their child, even with a very low birth weight, has the best chance of recovery and will soon be back with them.
That’s what makes healthcare so meaningful. It’s not just another industry; it’s a field where every role—whether in administration, sales, or production—contributes to supporting doctors and improving patient care.
EF: What are three key factors that make Mexico an attractive destination for healthcare investment?
PB: Despite significant investment in the sector, Mexico still falls short of the OECD average for hospitals and hospital beds, highlighting a clear need for further development. The demand exists, and people need better access to healthcare solutions.
From a production standpoint, Mexico offers a skilled workforce with the expertise to deliver high-quality products. At the same time, production costs remain competitive, creating an ideal balance between affordability and access to talent eager to grow and refine their skills.
Additionally, Mexico’s strategic location provides seamless access to both the U.S. and Latin America, making distribution efficient despite challenges like tariffs and global disruptions. This geographical advantage further strengthens its appeal as an investment hub.
Latin America has faced numerous economic and political crises, yet its people continue to adapt and move forward. This resilience is a defining trait of the region, demonstrating the ability to overcome challenges and build for the future.
One of the biggest challenges is expanding hospital capacity to meet the growing demand for patient care. The question is: how can we use our expertise to support this effort?
Another pressing issue is the long wait times for public healthcare. Many people have to wait far too long for treatment, and the challenge is finding ways to improve access and reduce these delays. Addressing this would make a significant impact. It is also one of the reasons why companies like ours have so much potential in Mexico—there is still a vast opportunity to contribute to the sector’s development.
EF: What is your outlook on the future of telemedicine? And is Dräger positioned to support its growth?
PB: We are definitely prepared for some aspects of telemedicine, particularly when it comes to enabling collaboration between doctors during surgery. Our intelligent systems are designed to support these kinds of advanced technologies.
However, when it comes to direct patient-doctor interactions via video consultations, I’m not sure we’re fully there yet. Certain medical assessments—like measuring blood pressure—are still difficult to conduct remotely, and that poses limitations. So, while we are equipped for many aspects of telemedicine, some areas still need further development.
The pace of technological change is accelerating. Five years from now, we could be looking at innovations that we cannot even imagine today. The landscape is evolving rapidly, and it will be interesting to see where it goes.
EF: You have been with Dräger for eight years. What are some of your proudest achievements? And what are your goals for the next five years?
PB: One of the things I’m most proud of is how much more recognized we are in the healthcare sector today. Our products are widely used across hospitals, and if you walk into a facility, there’s a good chance you’ll see one of our solutions in use.
Beyond that, our collaboration with governments and institutions has helped bring high-quality products into the public healthcare system, not just private hospitals. This is particularly important to me because it means our technology is reaching more people who need it most.
Looking to the future, I firmly believe we are on track to become an even bigger player in the industry. We are strengthening our leadership, especially in operating rooms and ICUs, and I see us continuing to grow in these areas.
Our focus is shifting towards selling solutions rather than just products. Hospitals are increasingly embracing this approach, and we are now playing a more consultative role—helping them design their spaces, advising on financing, and guiding them in selecting the right equipment for their specific needs. This shift is positioning us as partners rather than just suppliers.
EF: Is there anything else you’d like to highlight for the healthcare sector this year?
PB: This year, we are launching two exciting new products. One is the anesthesia machine Atlan A100, designed for the entry-level market. The other is a cutting-edge operating room light which I’m particularly excited about.
Polaris PRO+ is a light that has an advanced algorithm that optimizes its positioning to eliminate shadows during surgery. Imagine a surgeon working directly under the light without any obstruction—it ensures optimal visibility at all times.
