The procurement shift

At the centre of the discussions at THE WEEK India Hospital Procurement Leaders Summit was a structural change taking place in India's health care system

- KANU SARDA

India's push for self-reliance in medical technology, the changing role of hospital procurement and the growing influence of technology in health care formed the core of discussions at THE WEEK India Hospital Procurement Leaders Summit, presented by Helmier, in Delhi. Policymakers, hospital leaders, industry experts and health care professionals came together to discuss the future of India's health care ecosystem at the recent summit.

At the centre of the discussions was a structural shift taking place within India's health care system, one that is transforming hospital procurement from a back-office function into a strategic, decision-making role that directly impacts clinical outcomes, technology adoption and hospital finances.

In her inaugural address, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals and Fertilisers Anupriya Patel said the Covid-19 pandemic exposed India's heavy dependence on imported medical equipment, underlining the urgent need for a resilient and self-reliant medical devices ecosystem. “During Covid, we realised that we were too dependent on imports. India needs a resilient system and our own indigenous system,” she said, adding that the government is now focused on building an integrated ecosystem for medical device manufacturing in the country.

Patel highlighted the National Medical Devices Policy, which aims to promote innovation-led manufacturing and reduce import dependence. She also highlighted the establishment of medical devices parks in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, which were expected to reduce manufacturing costs, strengthen supply chains and promote domestic production.