India's Path to Becoming a World Leader in Health Tech: Experts
With the vision of 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat', India is positioned to become a global leader in health technology, according to industry experts. Over the past five years, the country has witnessed remarkable growth in robotic surgery, signaling a significant shift towards advanced medical procedures.
Dr. Sudhir P Srivastava, Chairman and CEO of SS Innovations in India, emphasized the transformative potential of robotic surgery. "Robotic surgery will be the future", Srivastava stated, noting the increased acceptance among patients due to faster recovery times, shorter hospital stays, and reduced risk of post-surgery infections. Highlighting India's innovation in this field, he mentioned the development of the indigenous Mantra robotic system, which is both advanced and affordable. "India truly has an opportunity to become a world leader, especially when the system is affordable. It serves as a model for many countries, demonstrating that even in a developing economy with a large population, such advancements are achievable", he said.
Sabine Kapasi, a gynecologist and public health professional, called for an enhanced focus on public health infrastructure, particularly in rural areas and primary health systems. "This focus should be towards tech enablement for primary and community wellness exercises, incorporating devices, IoT networks, and software systems to improve public wellness", she noted. Kapasi, who is also the managing director of Enira Consulting, stressed the importance of continuous electronic health records and personalized, secure healthcare solutions. She argued that these would form the backbone of digital public infrastructure, supporting a wide range of healthcare solutions.
Kapasi also emphasized the need for upskilling ASHA workers and expanding the frontline healthcare workforce, including nurses. By enhancing the skills and numbers of these essential workers, India can further strengthen its healthcare system.
Pavan Choudary, Chairman of the Medical Technology Association of India (MTaI), praised the government's efforts in the medtech sector. "Make in India is advancing, and so is India's seamless integration with global supply chains. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has reached unprecedented levels, with the PLI and PRIP schemes gaining momentum. The government's commitment to French shoring has also attracted cutting-edge technologies and boosted employment opportunities", he stated.
Choudary highlighted that these initiatives have created a robust framework for the medtech industry, fostering innovation and growth. The combined efforts of the government and industry stakeholders are paving the way for India to emerge as a leader in health technology on the global stage.
Dr. Sudhir P Srivastava, Chairman and CEO of SS Innovations in India, emphasized the transformative potential of robotic surgery. "Robotic surgery will be the future", Srivastava stated, noting the increased acceptance among patients due to faster recovery times, shorter hospital stays, and reduced risk of post-surgery infections. Highlighting India's innovation in this field, he mentioned the development of the indigenous Mantra robotic system, which is both advanced and affordable. "India truly has an opportunity to become a world leader, especially when the system is affordable. It serves as a model for many countries, demonstrating that even in a developing economy with a large population, such advancements are achievable", he said.
Sabine Kapasi, a gynecologist and public health professional, called for an enhanced focus on public health infrastructure, particularly in rural areas and primary health systems. "This focus should be towards tech enablement for primary and community wellness exercises, incorporating devices, IoT networks, and software systems to improve public wellness", she noted. Kapasi, who is also the managing director of Enira Consulting, stressed the importance of continuous electronic health records and personalized, secure healthcare solutions. She argued that these would form the backbone of digital public infrastructure, supporting a wide range of healthcare solutions.
Kapasi also emphasized the need for upskilling ASHA workers and expanding the frontline healthcare workforce, including nurses. By enhancing the skills and numbers of these essential workers, India can further strengthen its healthcare system.
Pavan Choudary, Chairman of the Medical Technology Association of India (MTaI), praised the government's efforts in the medtech sector. "Make in India is advancing, and so is India's seamless integration with global supply chains. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has reached unprecedented levels, with the PLI and PRIP schemes gaining momentum. The government's commitment to French shoring has also attracted cutting-edge technologies and boosted employment opportunities", he stated.
Choudary highlighted that these initiatives have created a robust framework for the medtech industry, fostering innovation and growth. The combined efforts of the government and industry stakeholders are paving the way for India to emerge as a leader in health technology on the global stage.
