New Delhi: Import of Refurbished Da Vinci surgical robots is on allegedly violating norms with impunity. Besides safety of patient concern, it is alleged that it is also killing the prospect of ‘Made in India’ best in class surgical robot Mantra. The most shocking aspect of the issue is that it is more of an insider job at the behest of vested interest. It has emerged that DGHS mandarins are aiding and abetting this illegal import and thus undercutting PM Modi’s Make in India Mantra. Despite clear cut ban on the import of any medical device already being manufactured in India, Mantra in this case, the import of refurbished Da Vinci is being given a go ahead.
Srinivasa Reddy, Sr. Vice President-Govt. Affairs, SSI Innovations, the maker of Mantra, in a letter to DGHS Dr Atul Goel has narrated the ‘trauma’ of being a champion of Make in India slogan of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Mr Reddy has threatened to take the matter to Prime Minister Office if their genuine concerns are not addressed. The letter complains that the inconsistency in decisions of DGHS committee is jeopardizing the progress and prospect of Make in India. Though the letter does not pointedly mention Intuitive’s Da Vince but the letter implies it. In India only Intuitive is importing refurbished surgical robots and sources said India is the only country that significantly importing the refurbished Davinci X robots.
The letter shared with Medicare News is reproduced below ad verbum –
Dear Mr Goel,
We, Sudhir Srivastava Innovations Pvt. Ltd, located in Gurugram are the manufacturers of Soft tissue Robotic Assisted Surgical System, Instruments and Accessories, have met you in several occasions.
With reference to the enclosed OM from MOEF dated 15.10.2024, which indicates the reference to the DGHS OM dated 20.08.2024 for the revised list of High End and High Value used/refurbished medical equipment other than critical care medical equipment. The OM with inclusion of similar products manufactured in India are allowed to import of refurbished devices is very disappointed and caused a shocking news for us.
Since the DGHS OM dated in June 2023, we have met you several times and produced the substantial information in relation to our products that are indigenously manufactured in India with more than 70% of local content value addition which is significantly higher for the High end and High value medical devices. The system has been placed in more than 50 plus hospitals with Indian market share of 30% and systems has been installed in Nepal, Indonesia and Ecuador countries. In India, we have systems placed in many Private and Govt institutions including system are being installed in Medanta, Escorts Fortis and AIIMS Delhi in next one of week. One side we have been pride for India to make such highly end critical and sophisticated medical devices but unfortunately this OMs in support of refurbished devices is really putting us in a traumatic situation, business instability, a career risk of 400 plus employees in the company and a dishonour to a Surgeon who has a higher regards globally and disrespect to his sacrifice for the India.
We still do not understand that despite produced all kinds of information that our products are similar to devices listed in your OM, why is DGHS office is in support of importing refurbished products, when same equipments are being manufactured in India. This inconsistency decisions are killing the progress of domestic manufacturing and undermines the manufacturers’s confidence and lead to shut the business in India. The DGHS Committee inconsistency decisions are not only indicates the threat to steps taken by Govt of India for advancing vision of Prime Minister’s “Make in India” initiative and Aatmanirbhar Bharat but also the vision of a Surgeon who sacrificed the life to develop this critical technology in India and today we must feel proud and has the opportunity of putting India in the Global map for India being manufacturer of High End Surgical Robotic System. Instead of Govt being part of handholding us and being part of the growth story which is very unique but this inconsistent policies and decisions are slow down the progress of India’s Self-reliance and leading to “Un-make in India” Campaign and finally leads to shutting down the business in India.
Govt should work together with companies like us to drive innovation, create employment opportunities, and build a robust ecosystem that promotes indigenous manufacturing capabilities and enhances patient care in our great nation. Sorry to say and the fact is that it seems that few Govt people making these inconsistent policies sitting in the Govt offices do not have pride for India and do not want to see the advancing India in High technology, unfortunately this decisions will continue to lead the India’s import dependency of imported products and put the citizens of India exposed to the refurbished devices which compromises the quality of treatment. We wish to have a DGHS appointed committee to at-least see our manufacturing and international center of excellence that we have developed in India in far with international standards before taking such decisions of allowing import of refurbished surgical robotics.
I will seriously take this matter to appropriate forums in the Ministries and raise a serious complaint on the DGHS and members part of these decisions, which undermines the progress and growth of domestic manufacturing. If we do not receive a positive support from Govt, we will take necessary steps to shift our business and manufacturing to other countries who are very much interested in providing eco-system that help our business to grow and help in providing the advanced technologies for the underserved patients in the world.
For your reference, please find the enclosed letter of request that has been discussed and shared with you in your office on 13.09.2024.
Warm Regards
Srinivasa Reddy
Sr VP- Operations, QRA and Govt. Affairs
Sudhir Srivastava Innovations
