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India launches ‘MedTech Mitra’ to empower innovation and healthcare solutions

Projecting India’s MedTech sector to become a $50 billion industry by 2030, the Minister said that ‘MedTech Mitra’ will be a game-changer for Indian MedTech industry and facilitate “indigenous development of affordable, quality MedTech devices and diagnostics”.

• By Pooja Chaturvedi Sah
• New Delhi
• Dec 27, 2023

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The Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, on Monday launched ‘MedTech Mitra’, a strategic initiative to empower MedTech innovators and advance healthcare solutions in India. 

“MedTech Mitra is a platform that will help the country’s young talents by holding their hands and giving a final shape to their research, knowledge, logic etc. It will also help them get regulatory approval”, said Dr Mandaviya during his virtual address. 

The Minister further said that ‘MedTech Mitra’ will be a game-changer for Indian MedTech industry and facilitate “indigenous development of affordable, quality MedTech devices and diagnostics”.

Talking about the pivotal role of the medical devices sector in India’s healthcare landscape, Dr Mandaviya stressed on the fact that 80% of India’s MedTech sector is dependent on imports. “The collaborative nature of MedTech Mitra is expected to foster the indigenous development of affordable and high-quality medical devices, thereby reducing the nation’s reliance on imports”, said Dr Mandaviya. 

However, expressing confidence in India’s MedTech sector, the Minister highlighted the significant progress achieved through production-linked incentive schemes, investments in medical drug parks, and the implementation of MedTech research policies.

Projecting India’s MedTech sector to become a $50 billion industry by 2030, the Minister said that the government has taken steps to ensure medical devices are supplied within the country. “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,” he added.

Highlighting the rapid transformation happening in the medical device sector due to advancements in technologies, the Minister emphasized on the need for proactive support at the approval stage to propel India towards self-reliance and the vision of Viksit Bharat. “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”, he said. 

Elaborating further, Dr. Mandaviya said that the Indian medical devices industry has the power to emerge as a powerful leader in innovation in the coming years. 

During his address, Dr. Mandaviya also lauded the initiative and efforts of the innovators and youth. “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”, he said. 

Highlighting the alignment of MedTech Mitra with the medical devices’ sector, Dr. V.K. Paul from Niti Ayog said that the platform is poised to extend the reach of healthcare services to every corner of the nation, aligning seamlessly with the vision of Viksit Bharat.

MedTech Mitra is an initiative by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Delhi and Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), and is supported by Niti Aayog.

Earlier this year, the government launched the National Medical Device Policy and a scheme worth Rs 5,000 crore for the promotion of research in pharma and medtech sectors.