Make Tamil Nadu a medical devices manufacturing hub: Ma Subramanian to FICCI

R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, NOV 13

Tamil Nadu Health and Family Welfare Minister Ma Subramanian on Saturday appealed to the members of the FICCI to make the state a medical devices manufacturing hub.

Inaugurating the 14th Edition of the Healthcare Conference & Excellence in Healthcare Awards (FICCI TANCARE 2022), the minister said that TN retains the honour of Medical Hub of the nation. This was possible because of the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister MK Stalin.

• FICCI TN Chapter Chairman GSK Velu makes 10-point charter of demands, including specific incentive package for setting up medical devices manufacturing units
• FICCI TANCARE 2022 theme: “Tamil Nadu Health Ecosystem – Supporting the Vision for Trillion Dollar Economy”
• Ma Subramanian also unveils the Tamil Nadu Health Start-ups Registry
• Tamil Nadu continues to set new benchmarks in using cutting-edge technology in healthcare and providing best solutions across every category possible in Government, Private and the Health Sector as a whole: MaSubramanian

The pro-active welfare schemes being implemented in the state, including ‘Illam Thedi Maruthuvam (Healthcare at Doorstep)’ received a pat from the Union Minister for Health Mansukh Mandavia during his latest visit to the state. Even the union minister appealed to the state to take up the pro-people health initiatives such as ‘Illam Thedi Maruthuvam’ at the Geneva conference to be held in January 2023.

Ma Subramanian also urged the FICCI members and industrialists to start manufacturing medical devices units in large numbers to make the state as medical devices hub of the nation. The government would extend all possible assistance to make medical devices being imported from foreign nations, the minister added.

Ma Subramanian also unveiled the Tamil Nadu Health Start-ups Registry and felicitated the winners and said, “Tamil Nadu has always been a forefront in giving exceptional healthcare services. Tamil Nadu continues to set new benchmarks in using cutting-edge technology in healthcare and providing best solutions across every category possible in Government, Private and the Health Sector as a whole. The focus on Health Start-ups is promising and the ecosystem our government is building will be a welcome boost. Coming together of Start-up Tamil Nadu, Health & Family Welfare Department along with FICCI and various other Incubators, Accelerators and stakeholder bodies is going to catapult the ecosystem for Health Start-ups in the State”.

In his welcome address Dr GSK Velu, Chairman, FICCI Tamil Nadu State Council & CMD, Trivitron/ Neuberg Group of Companies, said, “The pandemic has made everyone  strong, improvise in the medical field, complementing each other across the health sector and going beyond borders to collaborate and ensure that healthcare is delivered seamlessly.”

He also raised 10-point charter of demands to the state government, including extension of specific incentive packages for setting up medical devices manufacturing units in the state. Other demands were:

• Special incentives for setting up hospitals & advanced diagnostics centres in Tier 2/3/4 towns
• Starting more pharmacy courses in govt medical colleges
• Specific incentive packages for Medical device manufacturing in Tamilnadu
• CDSO approvals for medical devices & pharma in Chennai itself without the need to go to Mumbai
• Better Common facilities like Gamma Radiation plant in medical devices park
• Recommend GST exemptions on health insurance premium to central government
• Build better Eco system for Startups in health care
• Better airport facilitation for medical tourism
• Preference in govt purchases for made in Tamilnadu medical devices

Dr GSK Velu further added that the FICCI Healthcare Excellence Awards recognizes those organizations and individuals who have contributed in a remarkable way and stood out in the most challenging situations showcasing their strong determination in upheaval of healthcare in the state”.

More than 40 Companies had applied for categories, including Access to Healthcare, Diagnostics, Life- Sciences, Medical Devices (including affordable Point of Care), AYUSH Systems, Fitness &Sports and Mental Well-being.

In a statement Dr Prashanth Rajagopalan, Convenor – Healthcare Panel, FICCI Tamil Nadu State Council & Director MGM Healthcare, said, “The FICCI awards have emerged as the definitive recognitions for contributions to Healthcare in the country over the years based on innovation, impact & sustainability which constitutes the three major criteria for evaluation.  The aim of these awards is to felicitate organisations and individuals for their contributions which accelerated efficiency, affordability and improved performance of healthcare delivery at a larger sector. FICCI Tamil Nadu State Council together with the government bodies and other stakeholders looks forward to nurturing through Tamil Nadu Health Start-Up Registry with its array of resources and breadth of opportunities”.

P Senthil Kumar IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu was also present at the event.

Bhupesh Nagarajan, Co-Chairman, FICCI Tamil Nadu State Council & CMD of Indira Projects proposed the vote of thanks.