New Delhi: Make in India enthusiasts in medical devices sector are on cloud nine, thanks to unveiling of long awaited National Medical Devices Policy Policy, 2023. They have started ‘dreaming’ that this will lead to India becoming Atmanirbhar in medical devices if implemented in earnest. The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 26th April, approved it. While unveiling it Union Health Minister and also Chemical and Fertilizer Minister Mansukh Mandavia expressed hope that it will in times to come reverse the situation of India importing over 70 percent of medical devices and paying astronomical sum of 63,000 crore through nose.
Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator of Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AiMeD) is one of the greatest champions of Make in India in medical device sector and has long been prodding PM Modi government to walk the talk. Naturally, Rajiv Nath’s joys know no bounds.
Applauding the Govt on unveiling of NMDP, Rajiv Nath said, ‘We congratulate the Government wholeheartedly for approving
the much-needed, long awaited direction we had sought since initial draft policy of June 2014 for a ‘National Medical Devices Policy’.
Rajiv Nath continues saying, ‘At AiMeD, we are delighted with the Cabinet decision of announcing a Medical Devices Policy to fulfil PM Narendra Modi’s& India’s aspirations to be not only Aatmanirbhar in Medical Devices but also to place India among global key top 5 suppliers of Medical Devices Worldwide.
“We are more than hopeful that the policy details will help boost local manufacturing, help traders and importers to start investing in putting up factories and end the 70-80% import dependencyforced upon India and the ever-rising import bill which last year shot up by a steep 41% to over Rs. 63000 Cr and make quality healthcare accessible and affordable for common masses worldwide.” Mr. Nath further added.
Rajiv Nath adds, ‘During Pandemic the Indian entrepreneurs had stepped forward to Makein India to address the lock down crisis to fight the war against Covid. Need for a policy to align various Govt. Ministries and Departments was acutely felt then and thankfully the time has come when even the Healthcare Parliamentary Committee announced its recommendations to the Govt. to take specific steps to promote Makein India of Medical Devices. We hope AiMeD’s and the Parliamentary Committee’s recommendations are reflected in the policy details and we will see this neglected sector flourish finally as has the mobile phones & toy sector recently with right policy support.
Dr Rajiv Chhibber, Vice President, Sahajanand Medical Technologies Ltd. &Jt Coordinator Govt Affairs, AiMeD, said, ‘The Medical Devices sector welcomes the cabinet approval of the National Medical Device Policy. The policy aims to place the medical devices on an accelerated growth path with a patient-centric approach to meet the evolving healthcare needs of patients. This is also a leap forward to fulfil PM Shri Narendra Modi’s vision to have an affordable, accessible and innovative solutions towards healthcare, making India Atmanirbhar and a Global MedTech hub, achieving the Vision 2047 aimed at Universal Healthcare for All.’
Such a visionary move by the Govt.is expected to provide the required support and directions to strengthen the medical devices industry into a competitive, self-reliant, resilient and innovative industry that caters to the healthcare needs of not only India but also of the world. The National Medical Devices Policy, 2023 aims to place the medical devices sector on an accelerated path of growth with a patient-centric approach to meet the evolving healthcare needs of patients.
Welcoming the NMDP, Pavan Choudary, Chairman MTaI said, “Though we still have to go through the fine print, we are encouraged by the spotlight turned on R&D. While India has only 1.5% of the global medical device market, it has 8% share of the MedTech R&D work force already. This is a fertile and proven area to focus on.
In addition to this skilling and upskilling of healthcare workers augers well for patient-care and man power exports. The emphasis on creating a systematic brand positioning and awareness creation program is long due and laudable.
