India and Japan Team Up to Build Medical Device Centre at AIIMS Delhi
A delegation from Osaka University, Japan, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency visited AIIMS Delhi to discuss creating a National Centre for Medical Device Development, Validation, and Skill Training. This project is part of India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative for medical devices.
High-Level Meeting
The meeting was chaired by M Srinivas, Director of AIIMS Delhi, and took place at the Ramalingaswami Boardroom. The project aims to reduce India’s reliance on imported medical devices, which currently stands at over 70%.
Historical Collaboration
This visit continues a collaboration that began nearly a decade ago, following a joint statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the late Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, in 2014. AIIMS and Osaka University signed a Memorandum of Understanding on October 13, 2014, to develop novel and affordable surgical instruments.
Japanese Delegation
The Japanese delegation was led by Kiyokazu Nakajima, a professor at Osaka University. Discussions focused on creating a state-of-the-art, publicly-funded research centre for medical device development. The delegation also visited the proposed site for the centre at AIIMS Delhi’s Jhajjar campus.
Training and Insights
AIIMS delegations have previously visited Japan to gain insights into technological research and hands-on experience in prototype conceptualisation, computer-assisted designing, and 3D printing. These experiences will be crucial for establishing the proposed centre in India.
Future Goals
The new centre aims to provide a platform for Indian surgeons, physicians, and engineers to develop and test medical device prototypes. Japan’s support in technology and knowledge transfer will be instrumental in making high-quality, affordable medical devices accessible to the Indian population and promoting the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises in the sector.
Doubts Revealed
Osaka University -: Osaka University is a famous school in Japan where people go to learn and do research. It’s like a big college.
Japan International Cooperation Agency -: The Japan International Cooperation Agency, or JICA, is a group from Japan that helps other countries with projects like building schools or hospitals.
AIIMS Delhi -: AIIMS Delhi is a very important hospital and medical school in India where doctors and nurses are trained, and sick people get treated.
National Centre for Medical Device Development -: This is a special place where new tools and machines for doctors and hospitals will be made and tested.
Make in India -: Make in India is a plan by the Indian government to make more things in India instead of buying them from other countries.
Memorandum of Understanding -: A Memorandum of Understanding, or MoU, is like a promise between two groups to work together on something.
