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Healthcare innovation: Aatmanirbharta in the medical technology sector

While Covid-19 has posed an unprecedented challenge to the country’s public health, the reform part is that the pandemic has also coincided with the emergence and spread of a group of nascent health technology companies, many of which were founded during the pandemic itself. At the same time, besides increasing foreign investment in healthcare and healthcare technology sector, there are many foreign companies innovating latest healthcare technology innovations with service and delivery implications in India in the sense of communicating the message of ‘Made for India’. So, with telemedicine and e-pharmacy rapidly emerging as the new normal in the country thanks to Covid-19, Made in India healthcare innovations and Pharmaceuticals for India are redefining healthcare technology and the device manufacturing ecosystem.

The emergence of NIF is a pre-epidemic phenomenon
However, the health technology innovation story in the country can be traced back to the year 2000 itself when the government established the National Innovation Foundation. 1 Recently, the “Vissco Dura Step Walker” was launched, a technology that NIF incubated in February 2020 by the manufacturer of orthopedic products. Keeping in mind the Covid-19 virus and sensing the need for hands-free sterilization, NIF has also built a foot-operated adjustable hand sanitizer dispenser holder as well as a jar-mounted sanitizing sprayer for public spaces with the latter receiving high praise from the Prime Minister himself.

An ocean of ‘Made in India’ innovations
Of course, there has actually been a huge influx of healthcare devices and solutions based on machine learning and artificial intelligence being put together by completely customized companies. In the early months of Covid-19, a Bangalore-based startup built a remote health monitor that has been used in quarantine centers in several states. In fact, there have been a number of companies developing robotic systems and devices focused on Covid. A Bangalore-based company has built a robot that can not only screen patients for Covid but also disinfect surroundings with the added ability to act as a physician/nurse assistant. Another company’s robot can deliver food and medicine to infected Covid patients. Using artificial intelligence, a company has made Covid screening possible by reading x-ray images via WhatsApp. Then there are companies that have created a wide range of UV-based disinfectants and sterilizers that are useful in everyday life. For those with physical disabilities due to neurological and orthopedic diseases, an Indian company has made a wearable robotic exoskeleton that enables mobility and rehabilitation. 3 Even an Indian company offers digital solutions for diabetes intervention based on artificial intelligence. 4 Another company has created a portable, powered air-purifying respirator to protect people from pollutants and pathogens. Furthermore, there are companies that manufacture medical vocabulary-focused audio-to-text devices to insulin storage devices to pocket-sized touch devices that do not use a finger. 5 A leading company is also making an AI-based lung cancer detector that can diagnose cancer faster than traditional radiologists. Then AI-based medical chatbots for mental health are frequently deployed to help people deal with mental health issues. Today, companies that manufacture health monitors and smart watches that allow the measurement and tracking of vital items are becoming commonplace.

Outsourcing ‘Made for India’ innovations
Apart from the fact that India imports nearly 80% of its medical devices, there are health technology companies that are based outside India but maintain presence and operations in India whose offerings and solutions are very relevant to Indians. For example, a US-based diagnostic hardware company based in IOT offers a software-based service that enables rapid response to infection outbreaks in hard-to-reach locations and bandwidth shortages, which is a great fit for India. Similarly, another US-based company that offers technology-based clubfoot treatment has also made their services available in India. The fact that foreign investment in Indian health technology has been strong with spillover effects on technology transfer and sharing of good practices, also defines how foreign innovations have become beneficial to the country which is effectively becoming “made for India”.

Innovations in delivery models: disrupting the value chain
To a large extent, the spirit of innovation that the healthcare sector exudes has gone beyond the manufacturing of devices and equipment to the healthcare delivery models themselves. In fact, the rise in the use of telemedicine and online pharmacies was coincidental as hospital-to-home care shifted to virtual 24/7 care. Several app-based companies have emerged, with some offering an integrated service model comprising consulting, diagnostics, testing, and drug purchases under a single app. Then there are companies that are exploring AI-based predictive inventory models with the goal of simplifying operations while optimizing resources. While the government has led the overall digital health mission, many Indian technology companies have also jumped into the fray to create hardware and software systems including electronic health records, electronic medical records and other related components.

So, against the backdrop of India’s vibrant design and India’s healthcare innovation ecosystem, the Indian healthcare sector and especially the medical device sector is preparing for a huge leap in terms of infusion and utilization of new technology. However, many Desi companies must depend on imports for raw materials as well. At the same time, the domestic operating environment must also be brought on a par with other countries where health technology manufacturers enjoy a range of government policies and financial support. zipe-education

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