Overview

(total market size = (total local production + imports) – exports)
Units: USD millions
Source: Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador

Statistics based on the HS Commodity Codes: 300590; 300610; 300620; 300630; 300650; 300670; 401410; 401490; 401511; 401590; 481890; 901110; 901210; 901290; 901320; 901380; 901390; 901811; 901812; 901813; 901819; 901820; 901831; 901832; 901839; 901850; 901890; 901920; 902212; 902214; 902221; 902230; 902290; 940290; 902511;

El Salvador is continuing its efforts to modernize and transform its Integrated National Health System. The government’s priorities are to resolve the shortage of medicines, improve maintenance and hospital infrastructure, and increase the accessibility of health services. 

The public health sector services are provided by the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MINSAL), the Salvadoran Social Security Institute (ISSS), the Salvadoran Integral Rehabilitation Institute (ISRI), the Salvadoran Institute of Teachers Welfare (ISBM), the Institute of Social Prevision of the Army (IPSFA), and the Solidarity Fund for Health (FOSALUD). The private health sector includes hospitals, clinics, and non-profit organizations. The Ministry of Health operates 31 hospitals and 731 health units, while the ISSS manages 11 hospitals, 68 health units, and community units. There is only one military hospital. 

The Superior Council of Public Health (CSSP) authorizes the professionals and establishments that provide private health-related services. For the latest data on the number of private hospitals, medical centers, medical clinics, doctors’ offices, laboratory clinics, dental clinics, and other healthcare facilities, please visit https://cssp.gob.sv/guia-de-servicios/. Additionally, the National Council of Medical Specialties, established in April 2024, certifies medical specialists and subspecialists, ensuring they are legally qualified to practice in their respective fields. The list of certified medical specialists can be consulted at https://conadem.gob.sv/especialidades-medicos. 

The Ministry of Health is responsible for developing and implementing El Salvador’s health policy. The Superintendency of Sanitary Regulation (SRS) regulates, authorizes, and supervises the registration, commercialization, import, and export of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, nutritional supplements, dental and hygiene products, cosmetics, food, beverages, and veterinary and agricultural products. The SRS is also responsible for setting maximum prices for essential medicines and monitoring compliance to ensure the quality, efficacy, and safety of these products in the national market.

In addition, the government is implementing the Digital Agenda 2020-2030, which includes the digitalization of medical records. The Electronic Health Record System integrates digital records across public health institutions; however, full coverage has not yet been achieved. 

According to the approved 2025 El Salvador National Budget, the health budget totals USD 1,179,431,939 comprising USD 1,038,531,389 from government funds, USD 140,800,550 from foreign loans, and USD 100,000 from donations. 
The 2023 Multipurpose Household Survey Report (EHPM), developed by the Central Reserve Bank in El Salvador, reported that 27.1% of the total population had some medical insurance. The insurance coverage is broken down as follows: 93.6% ISSS, 3.9% ISBM, 1.9% IPSFA, and 0.2% private or other.

The public sector is the primary purchaser of medical equipment and supplies through the Ministry of Health and the Salvadoran Social Security Institute (ISSS). Public institutions differ from private entities in that they typically only purchase new equipment. Approximately 80% of El Salvador’s medical equipment market is new, and 20% is used or refurbished. 

New and used medical equipment can be imported into El Salvador and must be registered at the Superintendency of Sanitary Regulation (SRS). Used or refurbished equipment cannot be older than five years from the date of manufacture. Additionally, U.S. exporters should be advised a Good Manufacturing Certificate (GMC) is required when exporting new, used, or refurbished equipment to El Salvador. Other healthcare-related products, such as medical devices, pharmaceuticals, nutritional supplements, dental, and hygiene products, must be registered at the SRS. In addition, ionizing radiation devices or equipment requires an import permit from the Radiation Protection Directorate at the Ministry of Health.

To enter the market, a U.S. exporter needs to identify a local distributor or representative in the country. Selling to public institutions typically requires participation in a public bidding process, which is announced through the government procurement website: www.comprasal.gob.sv. Companies interested in becoming suppliers to the government should register at the Unique Registry of Providers of the State (RUPES). Step-by-step guidelines are available at: https://dinac.gob.sv/registro-proveedores/. The Government of El Salvador also procures medical equipment and devices through the Products and Services Exchange (BOLPROS). To participate in BOLPROS negotiations, U.S. companies must appoint a local legal representative or attorney and establish a contractual agreement with an authorized broker firm. A list of approved brokers is available on the official BOLPROS website: https://bolpros.com/#/agentes. 

Leading Sub-sectors

• Respiratory equipment
• PPE Products
• Ultrasound scanning apparatus
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging equipment
• X-ray equipment
• Cardiac monitors
• Dialysis equipment
• Disposable products

Opportunities

In 2024, El Salvador imported USD 112.63 million in medical equipment and devices, with U.S. products making up roughly 16% of the market share. The main competitors in this sector are from China, Germany, and Japan. However, U.S. products are preferred due to quality, customer awareness, and availability of spare parts and accessories. There is no significant local production in El Salvador.

El Salvador is implementing a USD 927 million loan portfolio to enhance healthcare access and coverage in rural and urban areas, aiming to provide high-quality services to all citizens. Projects focus on digital transformation including telemedicine to optimize service delivery and facilitate remote care for hard-to-reach communities. Projects also aim to modernize infrastructure by upgrading and constructing healthcare facilities, equipping hospitals with state-of-the-art technology, and enhancing the overall operational capacity of the health system.

The following are public projects funded by multilateral development banks. 

• Andean Finance Corporation (CAF) is supporting El Salvador with a USD 77 million project to launch a comprehensive telemedicine system. This initiative presents significant opportunities for technology providers specializing in patient data management, solutions for streamlining emergency services, efficient medication delivery, test scheduling, and other innovative healthcare solutions. In July 2025, CAF approved a USD 75 million loan for the Sectoral Program to Support Comprehensive Management for Quality Health in El Salvador. This financing will support the renovation of 25 health units, six clinical laboratories, and three hospitals nationwide, including the purchase of advanced technological equipment for laboratories and hospitals, as well as hospital beds, examination tables, and surgical tables, among other items. 
   
• Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is financing with USD 235 million the Smart and Comprehensive Health Program (PROSINT) to modernize and expand healthcare infrastructure, particularly for primary and specialized medical services. It includes upgrading 20 hospitals, constructing seven primary care units and improving seven additional ones, building two new Specialized Care Centers (CENT), improving two departmental laboratories and the laboratory network for primary care, and upgrading a blood center. The Ministry of Health has published a procurement plan for June 2025- February 2026 totaling USD 10 million, which includes the acquisition of imaging equipment, pathology equipment, medical instruments, clinical laboratory supplies and reagents, operating room screens, neonatal ventilators, defibrillation arrest equipment, orthopedic surgical tables, and surgical lights, among other items. El Salvador continues implementing the Integrated Health Program II (PRIDES II), which is funded by a USD 170 million loan from the IDB. The construction of a hospital in the Northern Zone (Nejapa) and the renovation of Hospital Rosales are nearing completion. Approximately USD 24 million will be allocated to purchase medical equipment for these facilities. Tenders for equipping these hospitals are expected to be announced in the second half of 2026.[EH1.1][KD1.2]
   
• World Bank (WB) lending is targeted to improve access, quality, and system resilience. The USD 250 million Growing Up Healthy Together: Comprehensive Early Childhood Development Project is scheduled to conclude in June 2026. This loan supports the construction of a maternity center, “The Nest” (“El Nido”), and the full equipping of the healthcare facility. The bid for the equipment is expected to be announced in 2026. Additional WB support includes a USD 120 million loan to implement the Improving Health Care in El Salvador Project (PROMAS) approved in May 2025. Approximately USD 22.9 million has been allocated for the procurement of medical equipment, encompassing areas such as diagnostic tools, palliative care, radiotherapy (including cyclotrons and PET scan machines), transplant units, and hospital furniture.  
   
• Exchange programs for public sector school hospitals: The Ministry of Health is interested in strengthening exchange programs with hospitals or academia in the U.S. in specializations like surgery, neurosurgery, cardio, cardiovascular surgery, and oncology, among others.

Resources

• Ministry of Health
• Salvadoran Social Security Institute (ISSS) 
• Salvadoran Integral Rehabilitation Institute (ISRI) 
• Salvadoran Institute of Teachers Welfare (ISBM) 
• Institute of Social Prevision of the Army (IPSFA) 
• Solidarity Fund for Health (FOSALUD) 
• Superintendency of Sanitary Regulation (SRS) 
• Public Municipalities Directorate (DOM)
• Central Reserve Bank (BCR)
• Andean Finance Corporation (CAF)
• Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)
• World Bank (WB)

Information 

Interested parties may contact Senior Commercial Specialist Carmen Saprissa at carmen.saprissa@trade.gov