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 Gujarat Has Maximum Units Under 
Operation In Medical & Dental Instruments: Study 
The State, However, Ranked 4th With 8.2% Share In Total 
Output 
Gujarat accounted for highest share of over 18 per cent in 
terms of total number of 316 factories operating in the medical and dental 
instruments and supplies sector across India, according to the sector specific 
analysis undertaken by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India 
(Assocham). 
“Gujarat also had the highest share of over 19 per cent in 
total number of 338 factories in the sector of medical and dental instruments 
and supplies,” according to analysis of the state-wise distribution of 
manufacturers of medical and dental instruments and supplies in the country by 
Assocham. 
Of the total number of 65 factories in medical and dental 
instruments and supplies segment in Gujarat, 58 such factories were under 
operation as of 2011-12. 
However, with an output worth just about Rs 439 crore, 
Gujarat is ranked fourth with a meagre 8.2 per cent share in the total output 
worth about Rs 5,300 crore of medical and dental instruments and supplies sector 
generated across India. The state, however, had third highest share of 10.1 per 
cent in terms of direct employment generated by medical and dental instrument 
factories operating throughout the country. 
Clocking a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 15 
per cent, imports of medical devices and equipments in India is likely to cross 
$4 billion mark by 2018-19 from a level of about $2.3 billion as of 2013-14, as 
per Assocham. 
“Growth of medical goods’ exports to India is expected to 
continue as a result of our burgeoning middle class, growing medical tourism 
industry, swelling private sector healthcare investment, aging population and 
heightened government commitment to provide health services to the rural 
population,” noted a study titled ‘Indian Medical Devices Industry: The way 
ahead, conducted by Assocham. 
“As currently much of the medical devices in India are 
imported therefore, going forward it is imperative for India to focus on 
development of domestic manufacturing capabilities for ensuring the nation’s 
health security,” said DS Rawat, secretary general of Assocham while releasing 
the findings of the chamber’s study. 
He further added that “Absence of a clear and consistent 
regulatory framework, lack of adequate incentives and funding for manufacturing 
devices, absence of medical devices’ specific legislation, dearth of trained 
workforce for maintenance of medical devices, insufficient financing and lack of 
coordination between diverse stakeholders are certain key constraints faced in 
establishing this industry in India. There is a need for infrastructure creation 
for setting up green-field medical devices and equipment parks” 
Over 18,100 people were employed in 316 factories under 
operation in medical and dental instruments and supplies sector in India 
producing a total output worth over Rs 5,300 crore as of ASI survey of 2011-12, 
highlighted the Assocham study. 
Maharashtra had second highest share in of over 12 per cent 
in the total number of factories in the aforesaid sector while Uttar Pradesh 
(UP) had the second highest share of 10.4 per cent in total number of factories 
under operation followed by Maharashtra (10.1 per cent). Karnataka alone had 
over one-fourth share with over Rs 1,360 crore worth of output generated across 
25 operating factories in medical and dental instruments and supplies segment in 
the state. While Haryana had highest share of over 25 per cent in terms of 
direct employment generated by medical and dental instruments’ manufacturers 
across India followed by UP (11.6 per cent). 
In its study, Assocham has suggested that Government needs to 
expedite the process of relaxing FDI policy for cash starved medical devices 
sector attract more investments and boost domestic manufacturing. “FDI inflow is 
expected to spur research and development (R&D) and manufacturing innovations, 
in turn increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of medical devices,” it 
said. It has further recommended to encourage innovative financing mechanisms 
and funding sources and to establish a large scale medical devices capital fund 
to invest in needed, viable, medical devices development and commercialisation, 
besides the fund would also support a national medical devices network. 
BS Reporter | Ahmedabad May 14, 2015 Last Updated at 20:58 
IST 
(Ref:
http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/Gujarat-hasmaximum-units-under-operation-inmedical-dental-instruments-study-15051400642_1.html). 
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