In 2019, the Central government approved the setting up four medical device parks in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Kerala on the lines of the “Make in India” initiative and to provide world-class products at affordable prices for treatment. In this regard, on September 24, 2020, Chief Minister (CM) of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan laid the foundation stone for one of the first medical devices parks in the country, “MedSpark” at Life Science Park, Thonnakkal, Thiruvananthapuram.
- MedSpark is a joint initiative of Technical Research Centre for Biomedical Devices (TRC) at Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology (SCTIMST), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt. of India, and the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation Ltd (KSIDC), the industrial and investment promotion agency of the Government of Kerala.
- Notably, SCTIMST has considerable expertise and experience in the biomedical devices sector.
- MedSpark is fully aligned with the Honorable Prime Minister’s Vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
What is MedSpark?
Focusing on the high-risk medical device sector involving medical implants and extracorporeal devices, MedSpark will provide full range of services for the medical devices industry like R&D (Research & Development) support, testing, evaluation, manufacturing support, technology innovation, and knowledge dissemination benefitting small and medium-sized medical devices industries, which dominate this sector.
- These services can be utilized by the medical device industries located within the MedSpark as well from other parts of India.
- MedSpark will not only cut import bills but will also help in easy access to standard testing facilities and reduce cost of production.
It is expected that the project would provide direct employment to 1200 people apart from 4000 – 5000 jobs generated through the supporting industries like original equipment manufacturer (OEM) suppliers, service providers, and marketing/post marketing support activities.
Recent Related News:
i.On 15th July 2020, Mansukh Laxmanbhai Mandaviya, Minister of State (I/C) for the Ministry of Shipping reviewed the development activities of the Vallarpadam Terminal (Kochi International Container Trans-shipment Terminal (ICTT) of Cochin Port which is proposed to develop as India’s first and Asia’s leading trans-shipment port to ensure that Indian cargoes are trans-shipped through Indian Port.
ii.On July 28, 2020, Kerala government announced a new scheme namely “Chief Minister’s Entrepreneurship Development Programme” to address the issues of shortage of working capital and availability of credit faced by startups and small entrepreneurs amid COVID-19 pandemic.
About Kerala:
Chief Minister– Pinarayi Vijayan
Capital– Thiruvananthapuram
Governor– Arif Mohammad Khan
About Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology (SCTIMST)
President– Dr. Vijay Kumar Saraswat
