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| Made in India hospitals: Affordable and innovative | | | Vijay Garg
India’s healthcare landscape is marked by a growing number of “Made in India” hospitals that are making significant strides in providing both affordable and innovative medical care. This trend is driven by a combination of government initiatives, a thriving health-tech startup ecosystem, and a focus on indigenous medical device manufacturing.
In India today, the paradox of healthcare is stark. On one hand, the country is emerging as a global hub of innovation and manufacturing in pharmaceuticals and vaccines. On the other, advanced healthcare facilities remain largely concentrated in metropolitan cities. Over 70 per cent of India’s population lives in Tier II, Tier III cities and rural areas, yet tertiary care — critical for conditions like cancer, cardiac ailments, or renal failure — is overwhelmingly metro-centric. This urban skew forces millions of families to travel long distances, often at crippling financial cost, to access care. The solution to this imbalance lies not in creating more metropolitan “super-speciality” islands, but in building Made in India Hospitals — world-class yet affordable institutions powered entirely by indigenous medical technologies and infrastructure. This vision is not aspirational; it is actionable.
Affordable Healthcare and Key Players
One of the most defining aspects of the “Made in India” healthcare model is its emphasis on affordability, which aims to make quality medicals treatment accessible to a wider population. Several hospitals and government schemes have been instrumental in this effort:
Economic Impact & Healthcare Equity
The economic impact of Made in India Hospitals is multi-fold. The first benefit is lower capital costs of building hospitals by sourcing affordable indigenous equipment. Secondly, these hospitals can reduce patient expenditure, preventing catastrophic health spending for families. Thirdly, local jobs will be generated across manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics. Finally, exports get boosted, turning India from an importer into a global supplier of hospitals and devices. But most importantly, they close the healthcare equity gap. A cancer patient in a Tier III town should not need to travel 500 km to a metro for chemotherapy. With Made in India Hospitals, the care comes to their doorstep.
* All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi: As a premier government institution, AIIMS is renowned for providing high-quality care at highly subsidized rates. It receives government funding, which makes consultation fees, diagnostic tests, and surgical procedures significantly cheaper than in private hospitals. AIIMS also pioneers research, such as developing indigenous surfactants for premature infants.
* Narayana Health: Founded by Dr. Devi Shetty, a renowned cardiac surgeon, Narayana Health is dedicated to making high-quality medical care affordable for the masses. With a network of hospitals across the country, it has become a model for cost-effective, high-volume healthcare delivery.
* Government Schemes: Initiatives like Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) are crucial. PM-JAY is the world’s largest health assurance scheme, providing a health cover of up to $500,000 per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to over 120 million vulnerable families. This scheme aims to mitigate catastrophic health expenditure that pushes millions into poverty each year.
Innovations and Technology
Indian hospitals and health-tech companies are at the forefront of innovation, leveraging technology to improve patient care, streamline operations, and develop indigenous medical solutions.
* Indigenous Medical Devices: The “Made in India” movement is strong in the medical device sector. India is manufacturing a growing range of devices, from simple consumables like syringes and cannulas to more complex equipment like ventilators, CT scanners, and surgical robots.
* SSI-Mantra: A notable example is the first-ever “Made-in-India” surgical robotic system, developed by med-tech startup SS Innovations, and deployed at the Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute in New Delhi.
* Medisys: One of India’s oldest medical equipment companies, Medisys, has a history of developing the country’s first indigenously made ventilator and is now expanding its manufacturing to include radiology and oncology equipment.
* Digital Health and AI: Indian health-tech startups are leveraging AI, big data, and telehealth to create innovative solutions.
* AI-powered diagnostics: Companies like Reveal HealthTech are developing AI solutions that integrate structured data from electronic health records (EHRs) with medical images to assist in areas like oncology and clinical trials.
* Telehealth and remote care: The adoption of telehealth has surged, allowing for remote consultations and at-home diagnostic services, making healthcare more accessible in remote areas.
* Research and Development: Indian research institutions are collaborating with international partners to drive healthcare innovation. IIT Madras has partnered with LSU Health in the US to develop scalable, AI-powered applications and low-cost diagnostics. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) also plays a key role by licensing homegrown technologies to industry partners, accelerating the transfer of innovations from public research to large-scale implementation.
The Ecosystem
The rise of “Made in India” hospitals is supported by a robust ecosystem that includes:
* Medical Device Parks: The government is establishing medical device parks, such as the one in Noida, to create hubs for manufacturing and research, providing a conducive environment for companies to innovate and scale.
* Supportive Policies: Government initiatives and policies, such as the “Medical Innovations- Patent Mitra” initiative, are designed to streamline the patenting process and accelerate the commercialization of publicly funded healthcare innovations.
In conclusion, India’s healthcare sector is undergoing a transformation, with “Made in India” hospitals and technologies leading the charge. By combining a focus on affordability with cutting-edge innovations in medical devices and digital health, the country is creating a model that not only addresses its own healthcare needs but also positions itself as a global leader in accessible and high-tech medical solutions.
Vijay Garg Retired Principal Educational columnist Eminent Educationist street kour Chand MHR Malout Punjab |
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