New Delhi, Aug 10 (IANS): The partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO) for the production of medical devices strengthens India's position as a leader in healthcare innovation, the government has said.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh, said that despite producing indigenous devices, we need to produce them at the required volume to meet the growing demand.

Towards this, an MoU has been signed between Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Science and Technology (SCTIMST) in Kerala, under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), and the world health body.

“The Ministry of Science and Technology is proud to be a part of the MoU as it allows SCTIMST and Department of Science and Technology to enter into a partnership with global entrepreneurs, licensing the technologies and creating revenue generation through royalty,’ said the minister.

Recalling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ during Covid times, Dr Singh emphasised that by promoting indigenous manufacturing and reducing reliance on imports, this partnership strengthens India's position as a leader in healthcare innovation.

Additionally, it contributes to the development of a highly-skilled workforce, further enhancing the nation’s manufacturing capabilities, said the minister.

The minister also highlighted world-class facilities related to the development of technologies like in-vitro testing, genomics, precision medicine and vaccine production, adding that the technology developed by SCTIMST is a part of the rapidly-expanding ecosystem of medical diagnostics.

The minister expressed his confidence on the collaboration with the WHO, which will result in more technology development as well as innovations and foster international partnerships.

Dr Singh remarked that this partnership strengthens India's position as a leader in healthcare innovation with focus on “Technology for Medical Diagnosis”.