VitalAire, Air Liquide’s entity specialized in home healthcare services for chronic patients, is broadening its range of services with the acquisition of the diabetes division of Ethitech, a leader in medical technology

and diabetes medical devices distribution in South Africa. This acquisition enables VitalAire to meet the growing need of patients with diabetes in South Africa, leveraging on innovative connected technologies and offering personalized patient follow-up.

VitalAire is a leading nationwide provider of respiratory care services and products for patients at home, both in the public and private sectors. VitalAire supports patients with chronic illnesses through innovative healthcare products and services. This new acquisition will enable VitalAire to support diabetic patients with diabetic nurses initiating treatment, training and following up on the patients assisted by state-of-the-art medical devices. VitalAire aims at developing Value-based Healthcare models that improve patients’ medical outcomes and quality of life while contributing to the sustainability of the healthcare system.

Established in 2004, Ethitech distributes some of the world’s leading medical devices for diabetes and point-of-care testing to clinics, care centres, and independent practitioners throughout South Africa. The diabetes division supports today more than 1,000 type 1 diabetic patients.

According to the International Diabetes Federation, in South Africa, the prevalence of diabetes is high with 10.8% of the population (aged 20-79) with the condition in 2021. Diabetes is a chronic illness that requires in

some cases treatment with insulin. Advanced technologies - including insulin pump therapy coupled with continuous glucose monitoring - together with personalized care support, are used for gold standard treatment. Over the long term, this combination of services and technology enables patients to properly manage their disease and improve their health, as well as their quality of life, while contributing to the efficiency of the healthcare system by reducing cost related to complications and comorbidities.

Natasha Naidoo, Managing Director VitalAire South Africa said: “We are delighted to welcome the Ethitech Diabetes team to Air Liquide. Their expertise in innovative medical technology for Diabetes care coupled with our solid experience in the home healthcare market broadens our services offer with the aim to improve the quality of life of chronic patients in South Africa.”