New Delhi, [Insert Date]: Emphasizing the need to strengthen India’s healthcare manufacturing ecosystem, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilisers Anupriya Patel stated that India is actively working towards achieving self-reliance in the medical devices sector, with a strong focus on reducing import dependence and boosting domestic production.

Speaking at a recent healthcare summit in New Delhi, the minister highlighted that the COVID-19 pandemic exposed India’s heavy reliance on imported medical equipment, underscoring the urgent need to build a resilient and indigenous medical devices ecosystem. She noted that the government is now prioritizing the development of a robust, innovation-driven manufacturing framework to ensure accessibility, affordability, and supply chain resilience in the sector.

Anupriya Patel further pointed to the National Medical Devices Policy as a key enabler in this transformation, aimed at promoting innovation-led manufacturing, reducing import dependency, and strengthening domestic capabilities. She also highlighted the establishment of dedicated medical device parks in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh, which are expected to lower production costs and enhance the competitiveness of Indian manufacturers.

The minister acknowledged that while advanced medical technologies are critical for modern healthcare delivery, high import dependence continues to drive up costs and limit accessibility, making indigenization a strategic priority for the government.

India currently imports a significant share of high-end medical devices and consumables, and policymakers are now focusing on building a comprehensive ecosystem that goes beyond manufacturing to include financing, maintenance, training, and lifecycle management of medical technologies.

The push towards self-reliance is aligned with the broader vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, aiming to transform India from a major importer into a global hub for medical device innovation and manufacturing. The initiative is expected to not only enhance healthcare access and affordability but also generate employment opportunities and position India as a key player in the global medtech landscape.