Lok Sabha Question No. 1055 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-25
Subject: Affordable and Reliable Medical Imaging Solution
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Dr. M K Vishnu Prasad

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1055 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25 TH JULY, 2025

## AFFORDABLE AND RELIABLE MEDICALIMAGING SOLUTION

## 1055. DR. M K VISHNU PRASAD:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has set up any mechanism to provide access to affordable and reliable medical imaging solutions considering its high cost and low availability in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government and the progress made in the said sector in alignment with the concept of 'Make in India-Made for the World';
- (c) whether India has emerged as one of the top five healthcare manufacturers in the world and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government is considering manufacturing of medical devices as one of the sunrise sectors in the country and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to make India its manufacturing hub?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. ANUPRIYAPATEL)

(a) to (e): As informed by Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, the Government of India has taken several measures to develop affordable and dependable medical imaging solutions in the country.

In order to align with 'Make in IndiaMade for the World', the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), promotes and accelerates research & development in this field and provides an enabling platform for academics, Start-ups, and related organizations to convert the laboratory level prototypes into packaged models and help in transfer of technology for commercialization.

Further, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), a not-forprofit Section 8, Public Sector Enterprise, set up by the DBT offers various schemes and mission programs for biotech Start-ups, industries as well as partnering academic organizations for supporting development of medical devices, including affordable medical imaging solutions.

The Department of Pharmaceuticals is implementing the following schemes to promote domestic manufacturing of medical devices:

- (i) PLI Scheme for Promoting Domestic Manufacturing of Medical Devices: This scheme aims to promote domestic manufacturing of reliable medical devices by attracting large investments for creation of domestic manufacturing capacity, incentivising domestic production. It has a total budgetary outlay of ₹3,420 crore and a five-year performance-linked incentive period from FY2022-23 to FY2026-27. Under the scheme, selected companies are eligible for financial incentive for incremental sales of domestically manufactured medical devices in the radiotherapy, imaging device, anaesthesia, cardio-respiratory and critical care and implant device segments, for a period of five years. So far, 21 greenfield projects have been commissioned, and production has started for 54 products, which include high-end medical devices on which the country has been highly import-dependent, such as linear accelerators, machines for MRI and CT scans and mammograms, C-arm Xray machines and ultrasound machines. Till March 2025, cumulative eligible sales ₹10,413.40 crore have been made under the scheme, including export sales worth ₹5,002 crore.
- (ii) Scheme for Promotion of Medical Devices Parks: This scheme aims to create common infrastructure and testing facilities for increased competitiveness and cost reduction through optimisation of resources and economies of scale, thereby leading to better availability and affordability of medical devices in the domestic market. Under it, three parks have been approved and are at an advanced stage of development in Greater Noida (Uttar Pradesh), Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh) and Kanchipuram (Tamil Nadu) districts. The total project cost of these is over ₹871.11 crore, with Central assistance to the tune of ₹100 crore each for creation of common infrastructure facilities, which is expected to enhance industry's competitiveness and reduce production costs through optimisation of resources and economies of scale.
- (iii) Scheme for Strengthening Medical Device Industry: This scheme has been launched on 08.11.2024 with a financial outlay of ₹500 crore. It aims to strengthen the medical device industry by providing support in critical areas, including manufacturing of key components and accessories, skill development, support for clinical studies, development of common infrastructure, and industry promotion.

Enabled by these schemes, the Indian medical device sector has emerged as a sunrise sector which is rapidly growing in global competitiveness. Highlights in this regard are as follows:

- (i) Over the last six financial years, the export of medical devices has increased by 88%, from US$ 2,138 million in FY2018-19 to US$ 4,014 million in FY2024-25.
- (ii) Several high-end medical devices, such as Linear Accelerators (LINACs) and cobalt machines for cancer therapy, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) scan, mammography and ultrasound machines for imaging, valves, occluders, drug-eluting stents, balloon catheters and defibrillators for heart conditions, ventilators for high-flow oxygen devices for breathing support, dialysis machines for kidney, and knee and hip implants are now being produced in India.
- (iii) India is exporting medical devices to over 170 countries.

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