Comprising hospital services, medical devices, clinical trials, outsourcing, telemedicine, medical tourism, health insurance and medical equipment, the healthcare industry of India, valued at over US$ 150 billion – is one of the largest growing sectors of the country both in terms of revenue and employment generation. In the throes of steady growth owing to heavy demand, official figures expect the healthcare industry of India to surpass US$ 250 billion over the next three years.

A multitude of multi-dimensional initiatives by the government of India has both ruddered and fuelled this rising curve  – be it an exhaustive network of Primary Health Care Centers, pan-national programs like Ayushman Bharat or Make in India initiative for provision of affordable and quality healthcare services. Along with disruptive technologies, a growing culture of innovation & lateral thinking and a dynamic generation eager to make a difference – especially in domains like affordability and accessibility – it is an exciting time for the healthcare industry in India.

The other aspect of India’s journey is that, over the years, its development cooperation with the partner countries has multiplied across the healthcare sector. Indeed, India’s engagement with other countries has been growing at a rapid pace in the areas like export of high quality low-priced Indian pharmaceuticals and medical device, setting up of manufacturing units and health care infrastructure in foreign lands, medical treatment, telemedicine, capacity building, traditional medicine, etc.

This is where Sri Lanka’s own dynamic journey towards self-sufficiency and advancement comes in. Over the years, Sri Lanka’s health indicators have also made a space for itself, showing the country in a positive light.  Today, it is comparable to some of the most developed countries in the world. Sri Lanka specializes in offering low cost healthcare services of global standards. There is a universal health system in the country that extends free healthcare to all the citizens. About 50% of medical treatment, 95% of hospitalizations, and 99% of preventive care needs of the country are provided by the public health system.

This makes it amply clear that it is imperative to improve the efficiency and quality of the healthcare system to benefit a majority of its citizens.

However, there are challenges in the way.  Currently, the healthcare system in Sri Lanka is burdened with limited resources. There is an uneven distribution of medicines and medical supplies in the country, forcing patients to visit hospitals that are miles away.

This is a lacuna that can be addressed and improved if we can successfully scale the existing level of collaboration between India and Sri Lanka to the next level. That involves amplifying trade between the countries.

About 86% of the total export trade for the Indian medical device industry consist of diagnostic imaging equipment, consumables, stents and orthopaedic devices. With the increase in the manufacturing of medical devices in India, we believe that there is a huge potential for the healthcare arc in both countries to align and intersect for mutual benefit. 

The good news is that the two nations are already synergized in collaborative initiatives. As one of the largest manufacturers & suppliers of medicines and pharmaceutical products to the world, India currently meets approximately, 85% of Sri Lanka’s pharmaceutical requirements. The need of the hour is for purpose driven minds to come together and escalate this mark to a higher dimension.

Sunil Bhyana said that we at  Medorah Meditek Pvt. Ltd, are the pioneers in flexible endoscopic accessories and self-expandable metallic stents for GI tract. Our overarching mission is to provide affordable and quality healthcare to engineer the greatest common good. We are happy to be recognized as one of the committed providers of innovative world class quality and cost effective products in the medical device industry and is also recognized and supported by India’s renowned gastroenterologists including Dr. D.N. Reddy Hyderabad , Dr. Amit Maydeo Mumbai  and Dr. Randhir Sud Delhi NCR. We have more than 30 years of experience in this industry.

We therefore find ourselves both able and eager expeditor in lending a hand in this saga of collaboration between India and Sri Lanka, and play a humble role in improving upon the bilateral relations between the two timeless nations.

It is our earnest plea to NMRA officials to register CDSCO approved Indian companies on priority. This would further enhance healthcare cooperation and  relations between India and Sri Lanka.