While health infrastructure is a fairly broad term, the medical device segment constitutes a key component of it. Although in unfortunate circumstances, there is no denying that Covid-19 has accelerated a transition to a more advanced technology-based medical device sector in the country which in turn is contributing to the improvement of over-all health infrastructure as well as quality of care for the patients. Even as the established medical device players are climbing up the technology ladder with their existing as well as new product offerings, there has been a proliferation in new-generation healthtech and med-tech start ups which has affected unparalleled changes in the way healthcare is delivered to patients in India and as such is improving infrastructure and care in the country.

How latest surgical devices are making it easy for both patients and doctors

Advancements in surgical devices and equipment have constituted an integral part of the Indian medical device success story. Besides the emergence of a range of precision surgical tools for different spheres of care such as obstetrics and gynecology, wound closure, cardiovascular, orthopedic, neurosurgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, a startup is even set to commercially launch India’s first and cheapest robot surgical system with variants of multi-arm surgical robotics system in the next 4-6 months. Then a neurosurgical device which addresses the limitations in neurosurgery has been patented by an Indian company and is set to be pre-clinically tested at the University of Wollongong in Australia signifying close collaboration with external partners across academia and industry. Only weeks back, a super specialty hospital in the country had successfully combined O-Arm, a cone beam imaging CT technology with spine robotics to conduct spinal surgery for the first time in the country.

Covid-19 spurs diagnostics segment like never before

Of course, diagnostics have received a remarkable impetus thanks to Covid-19. With improvements in molecular and IVD diagnostics, there has been a definitive shift towards home collection with emphasis on precision testing, automated analysis and shorter turnarounds backed by application-based coordination and logistics systems. It is because of Covid-19, that over 2500 labs have been doing molecular tests such as RT-PCR tests in the country. A Mumbai-based company became the first Indian company to receive license for developing antibody-immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) – based rapid test kits. At the same time, there have also been technological developments for non-Covid diseases such as HIV, TB and cancer many of which have even preceded the Covid period. While the ICMR has developed a battery-operated portable device named TrueNat for diagnosis of TB, a private player has brought down sample analysis time for TB by one-tenth. Another startup has come up with a diagnostic tool to spot typhoid and gastroenteritis. Then there are hand-operated machines available to test for dengue and malaria in India.

Progress in life support systems reduces mortality

In a similar vein, devices classified as life support systems such as ventilators, automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and oxygen concentrators too have shown immense technological progress in the country. While indigenous manufacturers augmenting low cost high quality ventilators has been well known, there are Indian companies also making AEDs which is critical to prevent sudden cardiac arrests (SCAs), a condition which contributes to nearly 10% of deaths in India. 6 Furthermore, there are Indian manufacturers which make high quality medical grade oxygen concentrators. In fact, there are now gas technology-based companies which provide onsite oxygen generation plants for hospitals in the country.

Technology upgrades in Implants & prosthetics rekindles hope for patients The medical device sector has also seen considerable technological breakthroughs in implants and prosthetics. From pacemakers to coronary stents to knee and hip implants to spinal implants to breast implants to intra-ocular lens implants, nearly all segments have been infused with latest technologies and innovations. For example, there has been a shift from usage of conventional pacemakers to leadless pacemakers, and bluetooth enabled pacemakers to the launch of the world’s smallest pacemaker in the country this year. While modern navigation systems have ensured pin-pointed accuracy at the time of knee and hip replacements, the first fully robotic knee replacements system was launched in the country last year. Then a startup is employing 3D printing technology to manufacture personalised breast implants and prostheses.

Healthcare orgnisations/research firms taking to technology

Now, more and more hospitals are not only taking to automated systems for complete patient lifecycle management but also adopting software solutions such as Health Management Information System and Laboratory Information System providing for remote care. In fact, now there are applications available to aid evidence-based clinical decision-making, a huge help to medical students in the country. Also, technology is enabling efficient conducting of remote clinical research in the country.

Therefore, the technological advancements in medical devices have catalysed an over-all improved treatment and care environment in the country. And this improvement has been resonant across levels of care, whether it is tertiary, secondary or even primary care. Qualitative upgrading has also cast a positive spillover effect on quantity with more tier II and III towns also accessing the same quality of care than ever before due to their access to better medical devices as well as diagnostics, consultation and drugs. This has also been made possible due to the ever-increasing digitization of healthcare delivery system across the country steered by both the government and private players. The success of Aarogya Setu and COWIN playing a pivotal role in Covid-management and vaccine coverage exemplifies how technology can revolutionise healthcare in the country.

END OF ARTICLE