‘Local manufacturing to drive medical electronics industry’
By IANSSunday, December 19, 2010
NEW DELHI - India needs a conducive environment for local manufacturing and R&D projects to drive its medical electronics industry, a new report says.
A report prepared by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)-Medical Electronics Forum (MEF) (FICCI-MEF) has outlined a 13-fold strategy which also stresses on reaching all sections of the population in a cost-effective manner.
The medical electronics industry comprises of imaging and patient monitoring devices (MRI, CT SCAN, blood pressure monitors), implants (pacemakers, cath labs, cyber knifes) and embedded technology and software (tele-medicine, oncology applications and information management systems.
Johnson and Johnson Medical India managing director and chairman of FICCI-MEF A. Vaidish said that there should be duty exemption on critical life saving equipment and creation of a fund for new technology and products training.
He also called for development of infrastructure for improved access and increasing patient awareness towards lifestyle and chronic diseases.
According to Vaidish, the key trends expected to drive India’s medical electronics industry include growth in gross domestic prodcuct and a 14 percent per annum growth in the healthcare industry.
High mobile telephony was also one of the major players which could enhance the medical electronics industry, he said, adding that skilled healthcare manpower was essential.
