MedTech Mitra to empower innovators

Team L&M

India has got a strategic initiative to empower MedTech innovators and advance healthcare solutions, MedTech Mitra. The platform was launched yesterday by Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilisers Dr Mansukh Mandaviya.

Says Dr Mandaviya, “The medical devices sector is an essential and integral constituent of India’s healthcare sector. Pursuing the vision of Viksit Bharat, India is taking a holistic approach to health with a vision to transform the health landscape in the country by 2047.”

Noting that India’s MedTech sector is highly import dependent, measuring up to 80 per cent, the Minister adds, “To ensure that medical devices are supplied within the country, this sector has seen phenomenal progress with the implementation of production linked incentive schemes and investments for medical drug parks, MedTech research policy and MedTech research incentive scheme. He further added “this collaborative initiative will facilitate indigenous development of affordable, quality MedTech devices and diagnostics leading to considerable reduction in the import dependence of this sector.” Underscoring the growth and potential of this sector, Dr Mandaviya stated that “I am confident India will grow to become $50 billion industry by 2030.”

He further adds: “Due to the developments taking place in sectors like Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Virtual Reality, Nano Technology, the medical device sector is changing rapidly today.” Lauding the initiative and efforts of the innovators and youth, Dr. Mandaviya stated “There is immense power among the innovators, researchers and start-up youth in the country who know how to do Research and Logic Development. If one gets help at the approval stage itself, then wonders can be achieved which will take India miles ahead in becoming Atmanirbhar and achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat”

Commending the initiative, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prof SP Singh Bhagel says, “MedTech Mitra is a platform for budding entrepreneurs and innovators in India. It is more than an ecosystem, a community. It is a harbinger of revolutionary change. In our country the use of accurate and cost-effective indigenous technologies to bring about a change in the scenario of healthcare is of utmost importance. MedTech Mitra is one such initiative that brings together various stakeholders in the field of medical technology to enhance cooperation among various stakeholders and partner with them to promote progress in the health sector.”

“MedTech Mitra will empower emerging start-ups and ensure ease of innovation, ease of doing research and development, ease of rendering service in building an Atmanirbhar Bharat,” adds Dr VK Paul, Member Health, Niti Aayog.