News: Recently, Maha MedTech Mission was launched to strengthen India’s Medical Technology Ecosystem.
About MAHA-MedTech Mission
- MAHA Medtech stands for Mission for Advancement in High-Impact Areas (MAHA) – Medical Technology (महा MedTech)
- Launched by: The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Gates Foundation
- Aim: To accelerate innovation in India’s medical technology sector, reduce dependence on costly imports, and enhance equitable access to high-quality and affordable MedTech solutions.
- Focuses on: Advancing projects that can deliver transformative medical technologies to the market.
- The Mission will offer financial support to diverse stakeholders including academic and R&D institutions, hospitals, startups, MSMEs, the MedTech industry, and multi-stakeholder collaborations.
- Core Objectives
- Advance public health outcomes by supporting technologies that address priority diseases and improve access to safe, quality healthcare.
- Promote affordability and accessibility through cost-reducing solutions.
- Boost self-reliance and competitiveness by encouraging indigenous MedTech innovation, manufacturing, and strong industry–academia partnerships.
- Scope: The Mission will encompass a broad array of innovative medical devices and in-vitro diagnostics.
- It includes equipment, essential subcomponents, implants, surgical and assistive devices, consumables, and software-based medical technologies.
- This may include advanced imaging, minimally invasive interventions, point-of-care molecular diagnostics, AI and machine-learning platforms, robotics, and other emerging fields.
- Proposals that align with national health priorities such as tuberculosis, cancer, neonatal care, and primary healthcare will be prioritized.
- Along with funding, the Mission will extend facilitation support through national initiatives including:
- Patent Mitra for intellectual property protection and technology transfer
- MedTech Mitra for regulatory assistance and approvals
- A Clinical Trial Network for clinical validation and evidence development
- Expert mentorship from industry leaders
