11th APACMed Forum Signals Global Leadership Ambitions

India’s drive to lead the world’s MedTech revolution took a significant leap forward at the 11th Asia-Pacific MedTech Forum (APACMed MTF), held in New Delhi. The two-day conference convened over 500 stakeholders from policymakers and CEOs to global innovators and regulators marking a pivotal moment in India’s journey toward becoming a healthcare innovation hub.

India’s MedTech Vision Takes Center Stage

Under the theme “Swastha Bharat: A Healthier India, Together”, the forum aligned with India’s broader healthcare goals: Viksit Bharat 2047, Health Vision 2030, and the grand ambition of building a $50 billion MedTech industry by 2030.

Key government leaders who addressed the conference included:

• JP Nadda, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare
• Anupriya Patel, Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare
• Dr. V.K. Paul, Member, NITI Aayog
• Senior officials/Apex decision-makers like Amit Agrawal (Dept. of Pharmaceuticals) and B.V.R. Subrahmanyam (CEO, NITI Aayog)

From the dais, JP Nadda reinforced the message that MedTech is essential to India’s healthcare transformation:

“From diagnostics and devices to digital platforms, technology is making healthcare more accessible, efficient, and affordable for every citizen.”

Global CEOs Back India’s Transformation

Industry giants like Kevin Lobo (CEO, Stryker), Gary S. Guthart (CEO, Intuitive Surgical), and Katarzyna Mazur-Hofsab (CEO, Fresenius Medical Care) echoed India’s emergence not just as a cost-efficient manufacturer, but as a global innovation ecosystem.

Anupriya Patel added:

“You are not just partners — you are co-architects of a healthier future. India offers unmatched talent, scale, and policy support for breakthrough innovation.”

Beyond Manufacturing: From “Make in India” to “Innovate in India”

Key Drivers Behind Growth Momentum:

• Sophisticated R&D Ecosystem: India hosts global innovation labs and MedTech R&D hubs alongside a thriving startup scene.
• Policy Push: Initiatives like the National Medical Device Policy 2023, sector-specific PLI schemes, and Medical Devices Parks are boosting innovation and industrial scale.
• Digital Prowess: India leads in telemedicine, AI diagnostics, robotic surgery, and health data analytics via cloud-led ecosystems.

Global leaders are increasingly betting on India for next-gen solutions — from precision implants and surgical robotics to AI-enabled diagnostics.

Regulatory Harmonisation: Innovation with Safety

One of the forum’s standout sessions was the APAC Regulators Forum, featuring regulatory representatives from India, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Australia. The focus was on creating agile yet safe regulatory frameworks to accelerate innovation.

Highlighted areas:

• Fast-track approvals for AI-powered medical devices
• Regional regulatory harmonization
• Advanced data privacy and cybersecurity standards
• Unified digital health regulatory ecosystem

The dialogue reinforced the need for quick, flexible policy frameworks that keep pace with emerging technologies like personalised medicine, wearables, and digital therapeutics.

Reducing Import Dependency: A Self-Reliance Imperative

Despite its rapid progress, India still imports over 70% of high-end medical devices such as CT scanners, robotic systems, and dialysis machines. The forum spotlighted steps to reverse this trend:

• Developing domestic MedTech clusters (e.g., AMTZ Vizag, Noida, Baddi, etc.)
• Increasing co-development partnerships with global innovators
• Expanding local R&D and clinical validation

These measures aim to elevate India from a manufacturing partner to a global exporter of sophisticated medical technologies.

MedTech Vision 2030 — Towards a $50 Billion Milestone

The roadmap to creating a $50 billion MedTech sector includes:

• A surge in core device manufacturing
• Expansion in surgical and implantable devices, AI diagnostics, and digital health platforms
• Financial support through PLI and policy incentives
• Integration into the national health data grid under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission

At its core, the mission is not only to cut imports but also to power innovation, expand market access, and establish India as a pivotal player in the global MedTech landscape.

Conclusion: India’s MedTech Moment Has Arrived

The 11th APACMed MTF shined a spotlight on India’s shift from affordability-focused manufacturing to high-value, innovation-led MedTech leadership. With strong government backing, global CEO confidence, dynamic startups, and an evolving regulatory system, India is poised to co-create the future of global healthcare.

With solutions emerging in areas like robotic nursing, AI diagnostics, and precision medicine, India is not only catching up — it’s leading the charge.