The Indian Medical Parliamentarians’ Forum held its National Policy Summit on MedTech Access on September 22 at Meril Academy in Vapi, Gujarat, bringing together policymakers, healthcare professionals, government officials, medical institutions and industry representatives to discuss the future of medical technology access in India.
The summit was conducted under the theme “Swasth Bharat Se Saksham Bharat | Reimagining MedTech Access in India.” The discussions focused on strengthening India’s medical technology ecosystem and examining ways to make advanced healthcare technologies more accessible and affordable for patients.
The event was chaired by Dr Anil Sukhdeorao Bonde, Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha and Chairperson of the Indian Medical Parliamentarians’ Forum. Senior representatives from the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Department of Health Research, Indian Council of Medical Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, National Health Authority, AIIMS Nagpur and the National Health Systems Resource Centre participated in the discussions.
The summit included two major panel discussions covering different aspects of India’s medical technology sector.
The first panel focused on “Building a Sustainable and Globally Competitive MedTech Ecosystem.” The discussion examined the development of indigenous medical technologies, research and innovation, regulatory and quality frameworks, collaboration between industry and academic institutions, domestic manufacturing and supply chain resilience.
Participants also discussed the importance of strengthening India’s ability to develop medical devices that can meet clinical requirements and international quality standards. The panel considered how collaboration between healthcare institutions, researchers, engineers, manufacturers and policymakers could support the development of technologies for both domestic and international markets.
The panel was chaired by Dr Shivaji Bandappa Kalge, with Manoj Kumar Joshi serving as Co-Chair. Dr Vibhav Garg moderated the session, while Prof. Dr Prashant P. Joshi and Dr Neha Dumka participated as panellists.
The second panel focused on “Expanding Access to Quality Care through MedTech Innovation.” This discussion examined how medical technologies can move from development and testing to actual use in healthcare settings.
Key areas discussed included clinical evidence, health technology assessment, financing, reimbursement, technology adoption and workforce training. Participants also considered the challenges involved in introducing advanced medical technologies at different levels of the healthcare system, including facilities serving underserved and rural communities.
Dr Jashvantsinh Parmar chaired the second panel, while Dr Sharmila Sarkar moderated the discussion. Dr Gaurav Shanker Pradhan, Dr Shailesh Kumar Yadav and Dr Suchita Markan were among the panellists.
Speaking at the summit, Dr Anil Sukhdeorao Bonde highlighted the importance of connecting medical technology innovation with evidence, appropriate assessment mechanisms and sustainable reimbursement systems. The discussions emphasised that developing a medical device is only one part of the process and that healthcare systems also need the infrastructure, skilled professionals and financing mechanisms required to deploy such technologies.
The summit also highlighted the importance of domestic research and development. Participants discussed the need for Indian medical institutions to work more closely with engineering and research institutions to identify unmet clinical requirements and develop solutions based on actual healthcare needs.
Prof. Dr Prashant P. Joshi highlighted the potential for stronger collaboration between medical and engineering institutions. Such partnerships can include joint research programmes, academic initiatives, fellowships and training programmes. AIIMS Nagpur is exploring collaborations with institutions such as IIT Bombay, according to the information presented at the summit.
Domestic manufacturing was another major area of discussion. Manoj Kumar Joshi, Secretary of the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, emphasised the importance of quality, evidence and internationally credible standards for strengthening India’s medical device ecosystem.
The discussions also covered domestic supply chains, engineering capabilities and component manufacturing. Strengthening these areas could support the medical device industry while also contributing to employment and industrial development.
Healthcare workforce training was identified as another important requirement for wider adoption of medical technologies. Participants noted that simply making a medical device available does not guarantee effective use. Doctors, nurses, technicians and other healthcare professionals need appropriate training to operate new technologies safely and effectively.
The summit therefore discussed competency-based training and the possible use of digital learning and remote training systems. Such approaches could help extend technical capabilities to healthcare facilities in underserved and rural areas.
The role of financing and reimbursement was also discussed during the summit. Dr Shailesh Kumar Yadav of the National Health Authority highlighted the relationship between clinical evidence and the inclusion of newer healthcare interventions within health benefit packages.
The discussions noted that healthcare technology assessment should consider not only the initial cost of a medical device but also the wider cost of care. This can include treatment expenses, hospitalisation, personnel requirements and follow-up care.
Participants also discussed the importance of evaluating technologies according to their suitability for different levels of healthcare. Technologies intended for primary healthcare, for example, may need to meet requirements related to ease of use, cost-effectiveness, scalability and long-term sustainability.
Dr Neha Dumka highlighted the need to assess whether technologies can be effectively adopted within the existing healthcare system and whether they can reach the intended beneficiaries.
Dr Jashvantsinh Parmar also stressed the importance of identifying bottlenecks within the healthcare system and strengthening capabilities at community health centres and sub-district facilities. He called for systematic introduction of technologies and data-based evaluation of their outcomes.
The summit also discussed the growing capabilities of Indian medical device manufacturers. Dr Shivaji Kalge said Indian companies are developing technologies designed to meet international standards while remaining affordable for Indian patients. Ophthalmology and other medical specialties were cited as areas where Indian manufacturers are competing with international products.
The broader discussions highlighted the need for coordination among government agencies, healthcare institutions, researchers, industry and medical professionals. Areas identified for continued attention included indigenous innovation, clinical evidence, regulatory standards, health technology assessment, professional education, financing, reimbursement and institutional adoption.
The summit also placed emphasis on improving access to medical technologies in underserved areas. Participants discussed the importance of ensuring that technological progress reaches healthcare providers and patients beyond major urban centres.
The Indian Medical Parliamentarians’ Forum was established in 2006 as a non-partisan platform for Members of Parliament from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha who have backgrounds in medicine and healthcare. The forum aims to promote evidence-based discussions on public health priorities and facilitate interaction between parliamentary representatives, government officials, healthcare experts, civil society, academia and industry.
The National Policy Summit therefore brought together multiple stakeholders to discuss how India can strengthen its medical technology ecosystem while addressing the practical requirements of affordability, evidence, regulation, financing, training and healthcare delivery. The discussions are part of the broader policy conversation around expanding access to advanced medical technologies and strengthening healthcare infrastructure in India.
