On August 9, 2024, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh praised the World Health Organization (WHO) for signing a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India to enhance the production of medical devices. The agreement was formally announced at a ceremony held at the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) in New Delhi.

MoU Overview:

• Partnership Details: The MoU was signed between the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Science and Technology (SCTIMST), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, operating under the Department of Science & Technology (DST), and the WHO. Dr. Jitendra Singh described this as a "seminal step," expressing gratitude to the WHO for its humanitarian initiatives in India. He highlighted the importance of the WHO’s Health Technology Access Pool (HTAP), formerly known as the Covid Technology Access Pool (CTAP), which provides access to successful health technologies globally.

• Strategic Importance: Dr. Singh emphasized that the MoU allows SCTIMST and DST to collaborate with global entrepreneurs, facilitating technology licensing and generating revenue through royalties. This partnership is pivotal in advancing India’s goal of becoming self-reliant (Atmanirbhar Bharat) by promoting indigenous manufacturing and reducing dependence on imports.

Technological and Scientific Impact:

• Focus on Healthcare Innovation: The MoU places a strong emphasis on "Technology for Medical Diagnosis," leveraging India's existing strengths in genomics, precision medicine, in-vitro testing, and vaccine production. Dr. Singh expressed confidence that the collaboration with WHO would lead to further technology development and innovation, enhancing India's medical, diagnostic, and therapeutic infrastructure.

• Development of Skilled Workforce: By promoting indigenous manufacturing, the partnership not only strengthens India’s position as a leader in healthcare innovation but also contributes to the development of a highly skilled workforce, further boosting the nation's manufacturing capabilities.

Recognition of Pioneering Efforts:

• Tribute to Prof. Valiathan: Dr. Singh paid tribute to Padma Vibhushan late Prof. M. S. Valiathan, the founding Director of SCTIMST, whose vision and pioneering efforts have been instrumental in the institute's outstanding work in biomedical technology development. Dr. Singh acknowledged that the technology developed by SCTIMST is now part of a rapidly expanding ecosystem of medical diagnostics.

Key Attendees:

• The event was attended by several prominent figures, including Dr. VK Saraswat (Member of NITI Aayog and President of SCTIMST), Dr. A Karandikar (Secretary, DST), Dr. Rogério Paulo Pinto de Sá Gaspar (Officiating Additional Director General and Director, Department of Regulation and Prequalification, WHO, Geneva), Dr. Roderico H. Ofrin (WHO Representative in India), Dr. Manisha Shridhar (Regional Advisor to the South-East Asia Regional Office, WHO), Dr. Sanjay Behari (Director, SCTIMST), Dr. H K Varma (Head, Biomedical Technology Wing, SCTIMST), and Dr. Anoop Thekkuveettil (Scientist G, SCTIMST), along with members of INSA, DST, ICMR, DBT, and other organizations.

Dr. Jitendra Singh concluded by stating that this partnership with WHO is a significant step in strengthening India’s leadership in healthcare innovation, particularly in the realm of medical diagnostics. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s "Whole of Government and Whole of Science" approach for the transformation witnessed in public healthcare over the last decade, expressing gratitude for the continuous encouragement and support provided by the Prime Minister.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Dr. Pratiksha Jadhav/MSM)