India is playing an increasingly significant role in the global MedTech sector. As the demand for medical technologies rises, especially in emerging markets, India is well-positioned to meet these needs through its vast manufacturing capacity and innovative solutions, said Arpit Paliwal, director, HRS Navigation.
With increasing government focus on improving healthcare access and digitization, we’ve seen more adoption of advanced technologies in hospitals across the country. The industry also saw steady investment inflows, especially in innovation-driven startups and medical devices. Looking ahead to 2025, the sector is poised to see further advancements in AI, robotics, and 3D printing, along with a deeper integration of data-driven solutions. I expect to see enhanced regulatory frameworks, which will push the sector to scale even further while focusing on affordability and accessibility, he added.
However, India does face several challenges: the healthcare infrastructure in rural areas, affordability concerns, and the need for more skilled healthcare professionals. Despite these challenges, India’s strengths lie in its large talent pool, competitive manufacturing capabilities, and growing capabilities in R&D. Indian companies are now shifting away from simply adopting foreign technologies and are creating MedTech solutions specifically tailored to Indian healthcare requirements. This is a significant shift from the past, when multinational corporations (MNCs) dominated the market with products designed for and in developed markets. India’s strength in frugal innovation—creating cost-effective, high-quality solutions—is now being recognized on a global scale, and this will further propel the country’s influence in the international MedTech space.
The future of surgical technologies looks incredibly promising, with continuous advancements in robotics, AI, and imaging techniques. As surgeries become increasingly complex, precision and efficiency will be at the core of surgical innovations. We are already seeing the integration of real-time data during surgeries, which allows for better decision-making, enhanced visualization, and more accurate results.
Technologies such as minimally invasive surgery, augmented reality (AR), and robotic-assisted surgery are expected to become more common, significantly reducing recovery times and improving patient outcomes. This approach can reduce operational costs for hospitals, promote sustainability, and ensure high surgical efficiency without compromising patient care.
According to Paliwal, zero-consumable systems are a game-changer for hospitals, especially from an operational cost perspective. These systems significantly reduce the need for disposable items like guides, instruments, and other consumables used during surgeries, which can add up to a substantial cost over time. By eliminating these costs without sacrificing surgical efficiency or patient safety, hospitals can achieve long-term savings. Additionally, with fewer consumables needed, the focus can shift towards improving technology infrastructure and providing higher-quality care. This also aligns with sustainability goals, as it reduces waste and promotes environmental responsibility.
Coming to HRS Navigation, 2024 has been an exciting year. It’s a special year for us as we celebrate our 10th anniversary. To mark this milestone, we’re planning to introduce new product launches and enhanced features for our existing systems. We’re also focused on growing our team to support this next phase of growth. We will be expanding our R&D, sales, and clinical support teams, giving us the talent and capacity to accelerate product development and provide even better support to our customers. Looking ahead to 2025, we’re gearing up for an even more exciting journey. As we look back on 10 years of growth and innovation, we’re more energized than ever to shape the future of surgical navigation.
