In order to foster "MedTech" innovations at seven IITs across the nation, including IIT-BOMBAY, IIT-Delhi, IIT-Guwahati, IIT-Hyderabad, IIT-Kanpur, IIT-Kharagpur, and IIT-Madras, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Department of Health Research (DHR) have established the ICMRDHR-Centre of Excellence (CoE).

These facilities have been established to create goods and technology in line with the demands of the government′s Ayushman Bharat, National Health Mission, and Public Health Programs for possible use.

The country′s healthcare industry currently depends on imports for 80% of its medical device needs. Under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission(PM-ABHIM) scheme, the ICMR-DHR has also established the Medical Product Gateway of India (mPRAGATI) at IIT Delhi to support pandemic preparedness and to develop diagnostics and medical technologies for epidemiological preparedness.

According to ICMR, IITs were leaders in conducting research, innovating, and developing prototypes. A new paradigm in Make-in-India product development would be developed in the nation along with ICMRs strength in performing clinical trials validation and Health Technology Assessment (HTA). To create healthcare solutions that are demand-driven, inexpensive, and inclusive for widespread adoption, the ICMR-DHR CoEs at the IITs will work with the medical institutions. According to Dr. Balram Bhargava, DG, ICMR, the establishment of CoE at IITs is a novel ecosystem-driven approach with the goal of introducing cutting-edge medical innovations to neglected communities and helping as many needy people as possible. (ETHealthworld, June 25, 2022)