Month: March 2025

India stands at the threshold of a healthcare revolution, with its MedTech industry poised to drive Viksit Bharat’s breakthrough in healthcare innovation. As the nation accelerates its self-reliance drive, it aspires to become the world’s leading hub for innovation, manufacturing, and accessibility in healthcare. This vision embodies the spirit of ‘Make in India, Made for the World,’ where globally competitive, high-quality prosthetic products not only transform lives but also position India as a global leader in assistive healthcare solutions.

This movement is about restoring dignity, ensuring universal healthcare access, and aligning innovations with India’s vision of becoming a Vishwaguru—a leader in cutting-edge, inclusive healthcare solutions.

In a world where quality prosthetic solutions remain inaccessible to millions, India has already made significant strides in manufacturing indigenous, world-class prosthetics. These advancements are reducing dependency on imports and making advanced mobility solutions more affordable and accessible. Beyond healthcare, this contributes to India’s economic growth, employment generation, and technological advancement, positioning the country as a global hub for assistive healthcare innovation.

By empowering lives, creating high-skill jobs, reducing import dependency, and establishing itself as a global supplier, India is setting a benchmark in the healthcare industry.

India’s development journey is defined by its commitment to inclusive progress. With ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’—the world is one family—at its core, the country is extending its reach beyond its borders, delivering ‘Made in India, Made for the World’ prosthetic solutions to the global stage. This is Atmanirbhar Bharat in action, paving the way for a ‘Viksit Bharat’ future.

The 2025 Union Budget has taken a transformative step by significantly increasing healthcare funding, allocating Rs 99,858.56 crore to the Health Ministry. This budgetary boost will enhance healthcare access, particularly in rural areas, ensuring that quality medical facilities are no longer a privilege but a fundamental right.

The budget further strengthens India’s healthcare sector by creating new opportunities for medical students, equipping them with the necessary skills to become world-class healthcare practitioners. Additionally, the promotion of medical tourism will allow India to showcase its healthcare capabilities on a global stage, attracting international collaboration and investment. The focus on food and nutrition, coupled with rising support for mental well-being initiatives, ensures a holistic approach to healthcare, balancing disease treatment with overall wellness.

Moreover, the 2025 budget prioritises domestic manufacturing through customs duty reforms, clean tech incentives, and enhanced MSME support, driving growth and self-reliance. Strategic initiatives such as the National Manufacturing Mission and enhanced financial support for MSMEs and startups will reduce import dependency and promote sustainable technologies.

However, while the budget provides a solid foundation for growth and innovation, there are notable gaps in areas such as export incentives, targeted skill development for advanced manufacturing, and comprehensive infrastructure upgrades. Addressing these concerns will ensure a more robust framework for India’s manufacturing sector, reinforcing its competitive edge on the global stage.

The government’s commitment to strengthening domestic manufacturing is evident in the continuation of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for pharmaceuticals, which has received an allocation of Rs 2,445 crore. This initiative underscores India’s push for self-reliance in API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient) and MedTech production. Additionally, several measures have been introduced to encourage domestic manufacturing of medical devices, reducing import dependence and attracting large investments.

The Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Promoting Domestic Manufacturing of Medical Devices (PLI MD) was approved in 2020 with a financial outlay of Rs 3,420 crore. This scheme provides financial incentives at the rate of 5 per cent on incremental sales of medical devices manufactured in India. By September 2024, cumulative sales under this scheme had reached Rs 8,039.63 crore, including exports worth Rs 3,844.01 crore.

Furthermore, the Promotion of Medical Device Parks scheme, approved in 2020 with an outlay of Rs 400 crore, aims to provide world-class infrastructure to medical device units. The initiative has received proposals from 16 states, with Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh receiving final approval for infrastructure development.

To further support the medical device industry, the government launched the Scheme for Strengthening Medical Device Industry in 2024 with a financial outlay of Rs 500 crore. This scheme includes five sub-schemes focusing on common facilities for medical device clusters, marginal investments to reduce import dependence, capacity building, clinical studies support, and industry promotion. These targeted measures will enhance India’s capabilities in the MedTech sector, making it globally competitive.

Additionally, the Department of Pharmaceuticals has initiated the Scheme for Promotion of Research and Innovation in the pharma MedTech sector, establishing Centres of Excellence at seven National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research. These centres focus on fostering industry collaboration, research innovation, and capacity building, ensuring that India remains at the forefront of medical technology advancements.

India’s MedTech industry is more than just a growth sector—it is a socio-economic game-changer. It is driving accessibility, affordability, and technological advancements while reinforcing India’s status as a global healthcare leader. The initiatives undertaken today will shape the future of healthcare, ensuring that high-quality medical solutions are within reach for all, both in India and globally. India’s MedTech industry is poised to revolutionise prosthetic care by combining innovation, quality, and accessibility. With cutting-edge indigenous solutions, India can reduce import reliance, driving down costs, and ensuring millions gain access to world-class mobility aids—transforming lives and setting a global benchmark.

As the country marches towards Viksit Bharat, its MedTech industry will continue to be a beacon of innovation, inclusivity, and self-reliance, transforming lives and reinforcing India’s position as a global healthcare powerhouse. News18

The rising prevalence of chronic diseases and increasing healthcare infrastructure investments are driving market expansion. The hospital beds market size was valued at USD 4.1 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a 4.9% CAGR through 2035. Advancements in smart hospital beds, aging population growth, and rising demand for patient-centric care are key factors fueling demand. By 2035, the market is expected to reach USD 7.1 billion, enhancing patient comfort and healthcare efficiency worldwide.

The hospital beds market is witnessing steady growth due to the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, increasing geriatric population, and advancements in medical infrastructure. Hospitals and healthcare facilities are investing in technologically advanced beds that offer better patient comfort, mobility, and integrated monitoring systems.

Market drivers & trends:
The cornerstone of modern healthcare, hospital beds are undergoing a significant transformation. The escalating geriatric population, a key intelligence point, is a primary driver, as older adults are more susceptible to chronic illnesses and require extended hospital stays. This demographic shift, coupled with the rising incidence of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and neurological disorders, is fueling the demand for specialized hospital beds.

Technological innovation is another crucial catalyst. The integration of smart technologies, such as sensors for vital sign monitoring, automated adjustments for patient comfort and pressure ulcer prevention, and connectivity for remote patient monitoring, is revolutionizing patient care. This surge in connected healthcare, another critical intelligence point, is enabling hospitals to enhance patient safety and improve operational efficiency. Electric beds, with their enhanced adjustability and ease of use, are rapidly gaining traction over manual beds.

Furthermore, the growing emphasis on patient comfort and safety is driving the adoption of specialized beds, including bariatric beds, pediatric beds, and birthing beds. The increasing awareness of pressure ulcer prevention is also contributing to the demand for advanced pressure redistribution mattresses and integrated bed systems.

Future outlook:
The hospital beds market is poised for continued growth in the coming years, driven by the increasing demand for advanced healthcare solutions and the ongoing technological advancements. The convergence of artificial intelligence, the internet of things (IoT), and big data analytics is expected to further revolutionize the industry, leading to the development of more intelligent and personalized hospital beds. The shift towards patient-centric care and the growing emphasis on preventive healthcare are also expected to drive market growth.

The hospital beds market is set for steady growth, driven by technological advancements, rising healthcare investments, and increasing demand for specialized beds. While high costs and supply chain issues pose challenges, the market’s future remains promising with AI-driven innovations and sustainable solutions. Transparency Market Research

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy told the Assembly that the World Bank has sanctioned ₹4,500 crore loan at a low interest rate to Telangana for improvement of the public healthcare infrastructure and medical facilities.

He stated this during the motion thanking Governor Jishnu Dev Varma’s address, when MIM MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi requested the government to include new treatment regimes such as immunotherapy for cancer patients as an injection that costs ₹2.4 lakh.

On allowing fruit merchants to open their shops at the Gaddi Annaram market till the Ibrahimpatnam market was opened, the Chief Minister instructed the authorities of the Agricultural Marketing Department to give temporary permission to open shops despite the court’s stay order, provided Owaisi takes the responsibility of sending the merchants to Ibrahimpatnam once that facility was ready for operations.

“We may not get the opportunity every time and becoming the Chief Minister of Telangana is very difficult proposition. Now that I have been given the opportunity by people, I want to do everything possible for their welfare and development as we don’t know whether the opportunity would come again,” the Chief Minister said highlighting the resolve to end the drug menace and traffic issues in the city.

He suggested that private schools, which collect heavy amount per student as tuition fee every year, should have psychology teachers too to observe any drastic change in the behaviour among the students as it could be linked to drugs too. If it was addressed at initial levels, the problem could be nipped in the bud. It was the responsibility of school and college managements to see to it that no contraband, particularly drugs, entered their premises.

On the issue raised by K. Sambasiva Rao (CPI) about Kothagudem airport, the Chief Minister said the State Government had sent proposals to the Centre for airports in Warangal, Jakranpally, Adilabad, Ramagundam and Kothagudem and the first was approved for now.

He assured the House that they will continue to pursue for the remaining four airports too, as investors asked for infrastructure in Tier two and Tier three cities.

The CM instructed the Finance Department to release funds for payment of honorarium to ‘imams and muezzins’ before Ramzan. He also told the authorities to convene a meeting with Mr. Owaisi to resolve the issues related to the city. Later, the House adopted the motion. The Hindu

Cuts to Medicaid could have significant consequences for millions of Americans, including those who rely on the program for healthcare and the hospitals that serve them.

Jennifer McGuigan Babcock, senior vice president for Medicaid policy at the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), and Gabe Scott, a partner at K&L Gates Health Care Group, spoke with Managed Healthcare Executive about what these cuts could mean for the healthcare system.

Republican proposals made regarding these cuts have sent mixed signals about the seriousness of Medicaid cuts, leaving many unsure about what will happen next.

Babcock noted that some lawmakers have expressed concerns about the impact on their communities, while others continue to push for reductions in federal Medicaid funding.

“There are certainly folks on both sides of the aisle that really, very much want to protect the Medicaid program,” Babcock said. “But, if Congress winds up with a reconciliation package that needs to cut that much from Energy and Commerce jurisdiction, it will wind up cutting a lot of that from the Medicaid program, unfortunately.”

Reflecting on Medicaid’s history, there’s been more than one time it’s garnered political attention—most notably during the 2017 effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

This repeal included an effort to replace the Medicaid expansion that was part of the ACA during that time.

“The importance of Medicaid played a really big role in discouraging members of Congress from repealing the Affordable Care Act,” Babcock recalled.

She noted that with around 80 million people currently covered by Medicaid, any changes to the program will have serious political and social consequences.

She also pointed out that many of the districts with the highest Medicaid enrollment are Republican, which could influence how lawmakers approach the issue.

Hospitals and healthcare providers would also feel the effects of these cuts, especially nonprofit and rural hospitals that rely on Medicaid funding to stay open, according to Scott.

He explained that losing this funding would be a major loss for many hospitals, putting them at risk of financial collapse.

As of February, there were 748 hospitals at risk of closure—almost one in every state, Scott said, referring to a Becker’s study released at the time that highlights the potential impact on access to care.

Beyond the immediate risk of closures, Medicaid cuts could also damage hospitals’ financial stability, he said.

Many rely on Medicaid reimbursements to cover the cost of care for uninsured or low-income patients.

Scott warned that losing this funding could lower hospitals’ credit ratings, making it even harder for them to operate.

As policymakers continue to debate Medicaid’s future, both experts stress the importance of the potential effects these cuts can have on healthcare services, patient outcomes, funding and hospital stability. Managed Healthcare Executive

Ayushman Bharat is the Indian government’s flagship health scheme, designed to achieve universal health coverage by ensuring access to quality healthcare services, especially for the poor and vulnerable. This scheme is also known as Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). One of the key highlights of the scheme is its inclusion of all individuals aged 70 and above, regardless of their economic status. Currently, Ayushman Bharat provides ₹5 lakh in insurance coverage per family to the poorest 40% of the population. Now the biggest update coming is about the payment timeline for the hospitals.

Timely payment to the hospitals
CM Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to ensure timely payments to hospitals, stating that all pending dues must be cleared within a month. The scheme, which benefits individuals aged 70 and above, has been widely successful across the country. However, reports suggest that some hospitals are denying treatment due to delays in receiving payments for the services they provide. There was also reluctance from doctors to admit patients due to pending payments.

CM Yogi Adityanath has said the government that no pending dues should be kept for any hospital registered under Ayushman Bharat Yojana or Mukhyamantri Jan Arogya Abhiyan.

Eligible and ineligible recipients of the scheme
All Indian citizens aged 70 and above can register under the Ayushman Bharat scheme and avail its benefits upon successful enrollment. However, individuals with a monthly income exceeding ₹10,000 are not eligible for the scheme. Additionally, those who own a two-wheeler or a car do not qualify.

Eligibility criteria also vary from state to state. For instance, in Uttar Pradesh, individuals who own five acres of land are not eligible for Ayushman Bharat Yojana benefits.

Parliamentary standing committee’s proposal
A major boost could be on the way for beneficiaries of the Ayushman Bharat insurance scheme, as the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health has proposed doubling the coverage limit to ₹10 lakh per family. To widen its reach further, the committee has also suggested lowering the age criteria to 60 years. The committee also raised concerns about the underutilization of funds allocated for the Ayushman Bharat scheme, highlighting the need for better implementation to ensure benefits reach those in need.

Ayushman Bharat Scheme Budget
Reports suggest that the Ayushman Bharat scheme’s budget for FY24 was initially set at ₹7,200 crore, but later reduced to ₹6,800 crore, with actual spending reaching ₹6,670 crore.

For FY25, the allocation was increased from ₹7,300 crore to ₹7,605 crore, yet as of January 9, only ₹5,034.03 crore had been utilized, raising concerns about fund underutilization and implementation efficiency. News24