How to Bridge the Healthcare Gap in Emerging Markets with MedTech

In an exclusive interaction with India Pharma Outlook, Chandra Ganjoo, Group CEO of Trivitron Healthcare, discusses how MedTech in India is advancing healthcare through AI-driven diagnostics, local manufacturing, and policy support. She highlights rural healthcare improvements, startup training, semiconductor-driven production, and AI-powered wearables for chronic disease management by 2030. With over two decades of experience, Chandra specializes in sales, marketing, branding, HR, and strategic development. Her leadership in global healthcare, diversity, and innovation has earned Trivitron numerous awards, driving its growth as a global MedTech leader.

MedTech is tackling last-mile healthcare challenges in India. How are AI-driven mobile diagnostics reducing misdiagnosis rates in rural areas, and what infrastructure gaps remain?

In the countryside, AI-powered mobile diagnostics are displaying optimistic progress. By coupling the advanced AI system and telehealth, diagnostic accuracy rates have risen, bringing down faulty diagnosis by up to 30% in handpicked studies. However, certain factors like insufficiently trained experts, lack of awareness, bounded infrastructure, and sluggish/weak internet connection exist in rural areas of India, thereby impeding large-scale adoption of AI-based mobile diagnostics. 

India. How has the National Medical Devices Policy 2023 influenced foreign investment and local R&D in the MedTech sector?

The 2nd May notification of National Medical Devices Policy 2023, ideates on cutting down on dependence on imports and positioning the country as a global market leader in the manufacturing of medical devices. This would uplift foreign investment, boost domestic production, and encourage provincial research and development in the MedTech Sector. Furthermore, the policy even emphasized infrastructure development, regulatory streamlining, innovation support, and skill enhancement to ensure the country turns up as a self-sustained and internationally renowned hub for medical devices. It speaks for a well-shaped ecosystem for innovation and manufacturing, standardizing with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and fortifying the country’s healthcare infrastructure. 

Digital literacy and infrastructure gaps hinder AI-driven MedTech. How are startups using AI-powered mobile platforms to train healthcare workers and improve telemedicine adoption in tier-2 cities?

India has startups that leverage AI-based mobile platforms to train healthcare workers, thus improving digital literacy and boosting the acceptance of telemedicine in mid-sized cities of India. These platforms have interactive training modules and real-time support that enable healthcare workers to provide top-notch quality, comprehensive care to remote areas of the country. This approach helps overcome the challenges caused by poor infrastructure and restricted access to uninterrupted medical education.

Localizing MedTech manufacturing reduces import dependency. How is India’s semiconductor strategy accelerating cost-effective MRI and ultrasound device production while ensuring global competitiveness?

India's semiconductor strategy is bound to change MedTech manufacturing for MRI and ultrasound devices. Through investments in chip fabrication and local wafer production, India reduces reliance on imports and drives innovation in medical imaging. The development of advanced semiconductor nodes can increase efficiency and reduce costs, making the country a leading manufacturing hub for medical devices.

Public-private partnerships drive MedTech growth in India. How has the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission improved AI-based patient monitoring and EHR adoption in public hospitals?

The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission has improved AI-based patient monitoring and Electronic Health Record (EHR) adoption in public hospitals. It has enabled a unified digital health ecosystem that facilitates the seamless exchange of data and real-time monitoring, advancing patient care and operational efficiency across the public healthcare system. It also guarantees better clinical decision-making, lowers medical errors, and streamlines organizational strategies. With more credentials to patient data, hospitals can provide treatment plans that are tailored to patient's needs, which indicates better health outcomes. The endeavor also supports interoperability between private and public healthcare facilities, leading to a more integrated and efficient healthcare infrastructure in India.

AI, robotics, and wearables shape MedTech’s future. How will AI-powered remote monitoring transform diabetes and cardiac care management in India by 2030?

AI-powered remote monitoring will evolve sectors like endocrinology and cardiology by transforming diabetes and cardiac care management by 2030. Many wearable devices nowadays are equipped with AI algorithms that enable the user with proper health monitoring, tailored plans, and even help in the early detection of any type of health anomalies. This proactive approach prevents health burdens by empowering preventive care at the initial stages.