Goyal Calls for Global-Standard Medical Devices, 100% Government Funding for Testing Equipment

The minister also called for greater adoption of technology partnerships, joint ventures and joint research and development with global companies and other countries.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday called on India’s medical device industry to develop high-quality products for global customers and said the government is willing to fund 100% of the cost of advanced testing equipment.

Addressing two pharma industry events in New Delhi, Goyal said the government would support the creation of modern, shared testing infrastructure where medical devices can be tested, benchmarked against global standards, certified and demonstrated to international customers.

He urged industry stakeholders to approach the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) with requirements for testing infrastructure, saying the government would fund the acquisition of the best available equipment.

“We must develop a critical component ecosystem by strengthening our domestic capabilities with high quality,” Goyal said.

The minister also called for greater adoption of technology partnerships, joint ventures and joint research and development with global companies and other countries. He suggested that Indian companies pursue co-design and co-development arrangements and licensing opportunities where required.

Goyal further highlighted the need to strengthen India’s design, copyright, patent and intellectual property rights ecosystem to attract international innovators and position the country as a global innovation hub.

On healthcare delivery, he asked insurers and health-tech companies to develop products and platforms that simplify the patient journey and enable timely reimbursements. He also called for greater training and certification of caregivers and encouraged hospitals to publish transparent treatment packages.

Goyal said hospitals treating international patients should follow ethical practices and ensure that quality of healthcare does not differ between Indian and foreign patients. He recommended global exhibitions, international hospital tie-ups and a network of interpreters to improve the experience of overseas patients.

He said 3.5 million patients have benefited from India’s medical value tourism ecosystem over the past seven years, while setting a target of 10 million international patients annually.

Goyal added that countries engaging with India through free trade agreements and business discussions are seeking Indian pharmaceuticals as well as doctors, technicians, nurses and caregivers.

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