Singh said that India holds the promise of emerging as a global destination for cost-effective quality healthcare
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr Jitendra Singh, hailed the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) Thiruvananthapuram for producing high-quality medical devices at affordable prices and called for scaling up production and expanding awareness of these indigenous innovations.
The minister said that India holds the promise of emerging as a global destination for cost-effective quality healthcare.
Inaugurating the exhibition on “Innovation for Self-Reliance – Accelerating Healthcare with Indigenous Medical Device Development – The Sree Chitra Contributions”, Dr Jitendra Singh said that while SCTIMST has developed life-saving technologies, more needs to be done to ensure wider use and public awareness. He suggested that the institute showcase its devices in central locations such as Delhi, involving civil society and stakeholders, so that the benefits of its work are better known.
The minister highlighted that SCTIMST’s contributions align with the Prime Minister’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat by reducing reliance on imports, Vishwabandhu Bharat by exporting devices like heart valves and MRI-compatible shunts and Viksit Bharat 2047 through revenue generation and industry partnerships in the private sector.
Citing examples, Dr Jitendra Singh said the institute has already provided heart valves to over two lakh patients and advanced shunts to about 2,000 patients, while innovations like the Hemostasis Patch have proved critical in trauma and battlefield care. He noted that such achievements are often under-recognised even within leading hospitals and called for scaling up production to make them more widely available.
He further stressed that SCTIMST represents a unique model in India by combining the “Four Ts” — Teaching, Training, Treatment and Trade — a concept common in some Western countries but relatively new domestically. The institute, he said, not only educates and treats but also generates economic value through manufacturing.
Pointing to the larger context, the Minister said India’s medical technology sector is valued at around $12 billion in 2025 and is growing at nearly 20 per cent annually, with projections to touch $50 billion by 2030. Institutions like SCTIMST, with recognition from WHO and collaborations with national agencies such as ICMR, DBT, CSIR, DRDO and INSA, are positioned to play a critical role in this growth.
Dr Singh also underlined the importance of partnerships with industry, stating that affordability must remain central even as production expands. He added that the institute can contribute to India’s emergence as a global hub for cost-effective healthcare and medical tourism by 2047.
“By building on its achievements, Sree Chitra can serve both national health priorities and global demand, reinforcing India’s role as a trusted contributor to world healthcare,” he said.
The event was attended by Prof Ashutosh Sharma, Former Secretary, DST; Dr Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, DST; Prof Kris Gopalakrishnan, President, SCTIMST; Dr Sanjay Behari, Director, SCTIMST; and senior faculty, scientists, and industry partners.
