India set to host prestigious 4th WHO Global Forum on medical devices

New Delhi/Geneva: The national capital of India, New Delhi will be the venue for the next WHO Global Forum on Medical Devices, the most prestigious and biggest global congregation on medical devices.The decision was formally announced on 13^th May, 2017 at the closing of 3rd WHO Global Forum on Medical Devices. It reflects the fast-growing acceptance of India as an emerging global hub for medical device manufacturing and development.

More than 650 top global medical device representatives and healthcare experts congregated at the 3^rd WHO Global Forum on Medical Devices at Geneva to deliberate on ways and means to increase access to priority medical devices under the Universal Health Coverage in compliance with the Sustainable Development Goals and share evidence of best practices in regulation and management of devices.

The global event was flagged off on 9^th May 2017 by Dr Suzanne Hill, Director Essential Medicines and Health Products Department, WHO in the presence of dignitaries and industry representatives from across continents. Indian Medical Device Industry was represented by AiMeD led by Mr Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator of the Body.

The three-day conclave has been deliberating on diverse topics related to medical device and healthcare delivery such as innovation acceleration to implementation of best regulatory practices, mobile health solutions, ICT in healthcare, education, training etc.

“The world is looking at India. We have the respect and the attention in building our ability to provide access to high quality affordable medical devices and the evolving ecosystem in India to enable manufacturing here more disciplined and competitive. I have attended all 3 conferences so far and India has the largest contingent ever of delegates and speakers flying the Indian Flag,” said Mr Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator, AiMeD.

Dr Jitendra Sharma, CEO of AMTZ spoke about developing the country’s road map for Health Technology management based on better Service Delivery, coordinated and prioritised  Technology Policy and tweaking the Trade Policy; Dr E Reddy the Jt Drug Controller gave a presentation on ongoing reforms on Medical Devices regulations in India, Dr Madhur Gupta from WHO India office presented the progress on the evolving landscape to manufacture medical devices in India and the ongoing reforms as Make in India enablers and there were others from NHSRC and product developers showcasing their cost effective innovation in home grown medical technology .

“The world is looking for cost effective high quality medical devices from India as an alternative global supplier. India has to work hard to become the global hub for medical devices and show other developing Countries what is needed to assist local production. Exciting times indeed – next steps is accelerating reforms of the other Make in India and Ease of Doing business enablers.”

“Also there was good learning from progress made by other countries like Saudi Arabia, Tanzania and ASEAN those who have already created the robust regulatory framework needed to protect their people and their economies,” added Mr Rajiv Nath.