Bhopal: At Monday’s Global Investor Summit in Bhopal, experts highlighted that advanced technology, governmental backing and flexible policies could establish Madhya Pradesh as a global hub for medical devices and pharmaceuticals.
The state’s primary exports comprise medical devices, with pharmaceuticals contributing 20% to export figures. The forthcoming Ujjain Medi City aims to become central India’s leading medical tourism hub.
MP department of health and family welfare, principal secretary, Sandeep Kumar, outlined plans to establish medical colleges across 12 districts and partner with private organisations to strengthen ‘Aayush Arogya Mandir’centres during a session on Molecule to Machine (Pharma & Medical Devices).
“Medical college sector is more or less on PPP-mode. Recently, three medical colleges are being awarded to three private players. Similarly, on pilot basis, civil hospitals can be given on PPP-mode. Besides private sector can leverage the diagnostics services facilities, under the PPP framework. Our aim is to elevate MP as number one in healthcare ,” he said.
Kumar further indicated the state’s interest in private investment for upgrading community health centres (CHC) and civil hospitals, implementing PET scans, Cath lab services and dental services.
Union Pharmaceuticals secretary Amit Agrawal pledged full support for the medical devices sector, including production-linked incentives for MRI coils, X-ray tubes and flat panel detector components.
The initiative provides Rs 110 crore for common manufacturing units, Rs 100 crore for testing facilities and Rs 100 crore for clinical data generation. Manufacturers can access bulk drug parks in Gujarat and AP, expected to be operational by 2026.
Domestically produced advanced medical devices are 10% to 35% more economical than premium imports.
Agarwal noted that India holds second position globally with over four lakh AI-related professionals.
The state can utilise Rs 4250 crore in equity/grant support, providing Rs 1 crore per startup. Agrawal mentioned an upcoming expression of interest offering Rs 100-125 crore per project for industrial R&D, supporting drug development, medical devices and innovative therapies.
Forty-seven medical units are setting up facilities at Vikram Udyogiri in Ujjain. The medical device park, covering 360 acres, has already allocated 60% of its area.