Government initiatives aim to bolster exports, innovation, and self-reliance in the medical devices sector.

The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Smt. Anupriya Patel, addressed the 21st Health Summit of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) today, emphasizing the government’s commitment to boosting the Indian medical devices sector. Themed “Transforming Healthcare for Viksit Bharat 2047,” the summit highlighted transformative strategies for a robust and equitable healthcare system.

Joining the plenary session on “Charting India’s MedTech Revolution: MedTech Expansion Roadmap to 2047,” Union Health Secretary, Punya Salila Srivastava, underscored the economic and social imperatives of a healthy population, asserting that healthcare is integral to India’s ambition to achieve developed-nation status by 2047.

A Sunrise Sector with Immense Potential

Smt. Anupriya Patel lauded India’s medical devices sector as a “sunrise sector” poised for exponential growth. Currently valued at $14 billion, the industry is expected to double to $30 billion by 2030, making India the fourth-largest medical devices market in Asia and among the top 20 globally.

“The MedTech industry acts as a catalyst that connects patients, payors, providers, and regulators, promising a revolutionary impact on healthcare delivery and outcomes,” she remarked.

Driving Innovation and Manufacturing Excellence

Highlighting the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare, Smt. Patel stated, “AI innovation is pivotal for addressing healthcare challenges and unlocking new opportunities.” She further detailed the government’s comprehensive initiatives to bolster domestic manufacturing, research, and skill development in the MedTech space. Key measures include:

• 100% FDI under the automatic route: Encouraging global investments in the sector.
• National Medical Device Policy, 2023: Focused on regulatory streamlining, infrastructure development, R&D, and human resource advancement.
• Centres of Excellence: Establishing cutting-edge facilities and courses at NIPERs to enhance MedTech education.

Promoting Exports and Industry Collaboration

The Union Minister elaborated on steps to strengthen India’s foothold in the global medical devices market. These include:

• Export Promotion Council for Medical Devices (EPCMD): Facilitating exports and addressing regulatory challenges.
• National Medical Devices Promotion Council (NMDPC): Enhancing ease of doing business and fostering industry growth.

Infrastructure Development for Self-Reliance

Under the Scheme for Promotion of Medical Devices Parks, ₹400 crore has been allocated to Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh to develop state-of-the-art infrastructure. Additional initiatives such as the Promotion of Research in Pharma-Medtech Sector (PRIP) and the “Scheme for Strengthening the Medical Device Industry” with a ₹500 crore outlay aim to:

• Foster innovation.
• Enhance manufacturing capabilities.
• Support skill development.

These schemes are aligned with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, focusing on self-reliance, innovation, and global competitiveness in the MedTech industry.

Healthcare as an Economic Imperative

Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava emphasized the dual importance of healthcare as a social and economic necessity. “A healthy population drives productivity, fuels economic growth, and ensures social justice,” she said. India’s healthcare agenda prioritizes affordability, accessibility, and inclusivity to meet the needs of every citizen.

Towards a Viksit Bharat 2047

With these concerted efforts, the government envisions a transformative MedTech ecosystem that not only meets domestic healthcare needs but also establishes India as a global leader in the medical devices sector. Smt. Anupriya Patel concluded, “By strengthening our MedTech industry, we are not just advancing healthcare but also fueling economic growth and innovation on the global stage.”