New Delhi: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh praised the World Health Organization (WHO) for its recent memorandum of understanding (MoU) with India, aimed at advancing the production of medical devices. The formal announcement of the agreement took place today at the Indian National Science Academy (INSA), New Delhi.
The MoU was signed between the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Science and Technology (SCTIMST) under the Department of Science & Technology and the WHO. Dr. Singh described the agreement as a “seminal step” and expressed gratitude to the WHO for its humanitarian efforts in India. He highlighted the significance of the Health Technology Access Pool (HTAP), formerly known as the COVID Technology Access Pool (CTAP), in providing access to successful health technologies across countries.
Dr. Singh emphasized that the partnership would enable SCTIMST and the Department of Science and Technology to collaborate with global entrepreneurs, license technologies, and generate revenue through royalties. He acknowledged the importance of producing indigenous medical devices in the necessary volumes to meet demand, aligning with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of an “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-reliant India).
The Minister underlined that this collaboration would bolster India’s position as a leader in healthcare innovation by promoting indigenous manufacturing and reducing dependency on imports. He also noted that the initiative would contribute to developing a highly skilled workforce and enhancing the nation’s manufacturing capabilities.
Dr. Singh highlighted India’s world-class facilities in in-vitro testing, genomics, precision medicine, and vaccine production, asserting that technology developed by SCTIMST is integral to the expanding ecosystem of medical diagnostics. He expressed confidence that the collaboration with WHO would foster more technological advancements, innovations, and international partnerships, strengthening India’s medical, diagnostic, and therapeutic infrastructure to combat global diseases and future pandemics.
He paid tribute to the pioneering efforts of the late Padma Vibhushan Prof. Valiathan, the founding Director of SCTIMST, whose vision has significantly contributed to the institute’s achievements in biomedical technology development.
The ceremony was attended by prominent figures including Dr. VK Saraswat, Member of NITI Aayog and President of SCTIMST; Dr. A Karandikar, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology; Dr. Rogério Paulo Pinto de Sá Gaspar, WHO Officiating Additional Director General; Dr. Roderico H. Ofrin, WHO Representative in India; Dr. Manisha Shridhar, Regional Advisor at the WHO South East Asia Regional Office; Dr. Sanjay Behari, Director of SCTIMST; and several other key officials and members from INSA, DST, ICMR, DBT, and WHO.
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