India’s healthcare industry has made several advances during the last 70 years and this sector is recognised as the sunrise sector in India. India is amongst the world leaders in medicare and many new technologies are introduced first here before they are rolled out overseas.

This was stated by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, in his virtual address to the 13th CII Global MedTech Summit on the “Sunrise Medical Devices Sector in India.’’

He further added, ``in spite of that most medical technologies are not indigenous and we are still dependent on imported technologies and in some cases up to 85 per cent. One reason being the healthcare sector has never been given priority here in India, neither social nor cultural, owing to legacy issues besides economic constraints,” he noted.

Dr.Jitendra Singh said, now all that has changed under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi who promotes scientific temper, as is evident by the National Hydrogen Mission announced by PM Modi in his Independence Day address on 15th August. Several initiatives have been undertaken during the last seven years to promote Ease of Business and Make in India, he said.

 COVID-19 has also provided us with an opportunity to showcase indigenous technologies.  He cited the example of  CSIR that manufactured ventilators, vaccine production by DBT, ISRO in Liquid Oxygen.

Instead of ministry/department wise approvals, the country should go for theme-based projects involving the private sector. Indigenous medical technologies will help reduce dependence on imports and for this, the government, private sector and scientists, will have to come together and pool their resources, he added.

India’s Medical Technology sector was worth US $ 11 billion in 2020. A CII study estimates, this will grow up to $50 billion by 2025.

Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Smt. Anupriya Patel, Prof. K. Vijay Raghavan, Principal Scientific Advisor to Government of India and Smt S. Aparna, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, also addressed the webinar.