India's MedTech Revolution: Access for All?

The Indian Medical Parliamentarians' Forum (IMPF) convened a National Policy Summit on MedTech Access on September 22, 2026, in Vapi, Gujarat. Under the theme "Swasth Bharat Se Saksham Bharat," the summit gathered parliamentarians, government officials, healthcare experts, and industry stakeholders to enhance India's medical technology ecosystem and broaden access to advanced healthcare.

Two panel discussions explored building a sustainable MedTech ecosystem and expanding patient access to quality care. Focus areas included indigenous research, regulatory frameworks, industry-academia collaboration, domestic manufacturing, and supply-chain resilience. Discussions also covered clinical evidence, health technology assessment, financing, and the challenges of adopting advanced technologies across the health system.

Participants stressed that innovation must be coupled with access and evidence. Strengthening indigenous R&D, credible clinical evidence, and sustainable reimbursement mechanisms were highlighted as crucial. Efforts to enhance domestic supply chains, engineering capabilities, and manufacturing are vital for self-reliance and economic growth.

Medical institutions were urged to identify unmet clinical needs and collaborate with engineers for developing solutions. Competency-based training for healthcare professionals was emphasized to ensure safe and effective use of new technologies, with digital learning extending reach to underserved areas. Linking innovation with sustainable financing and reimbursement pathways, especially under schemes like Ayushman Bharat, is essential for affordable and sustainable healthcare. The summit underscored the need for a coordinated approach to connect medical technology innovation with the needs of healthcare providers and patients.