Most critical care equipment used in India, such as ICU devices, robotic surgery tools, and MRI scanners, are currently imported. Hence, most of these devices are inaccessible, making healthcare unaffordable for many. India is aiming to reduce its import dependency in the medical device sector and advance India’s capabilities in medical technology. As a major step toward self-reliance, India has developed its first indigenous magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine. India’s first indigenous MRI machine will lower the cost of scans by approximately 50%, thereby enhancing accessibility for the public.
India’s first indigenous MRI machine: Revolutionizing the domestic medical device manufacturing sector
India aims to become a global medical device manufacturing hub. Currently, it imports most of its high-end medical devices to cater to its domestic needs. Thus, healthcare services depending on these imported devices is prohibitively expensive for most in India.
India has developed its first indigenous 1.5 Tesla MRI machine. The MRI machine is set to be installed in the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi by October 2025 for clinical trials. This initiative is led by the Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering and Research (SAMEER) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). AIIMS Delhi has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SAMEER, an autonomous R&D laboratory under the Department of Electronics, Government of India. SAMEER has acted as the implementing agency in collaboration with the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) in Trivandrum and Kolkata, the Inter University Accelerator Centre (IUAC), and Dayanand Sagar Institute (DSI).
As MRI machines were not previously made in India, there is no mechanism in place to validate them. Hence, the Union Health Ministry is currently drafting norms for validating MRI scanners. This will facilitate their use in clinical trials and eventually use in healthcare facilities. Developing this regulatory framework is vital for monitoring the safety and efficacy of the indigenous MRI machines prior to launching them in the market.
In addition to the MRI scanner, SAMEER has been involved in the development of a 6 MEV Linear Accelerator for cancer treatment. Similar to the MRI machine, the 6 MEV Linear Accelerator will also help reduce India’s import dependency and improve advanced medical device technology.
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MRI is one of the most vital diagnostic imaging medical devices for early diagnosis of diseases and monitoring treatment progress. It plays a crucial role in enhancing patient care. Currently, 80-85% of India’s medical devices are imported. India’s first indigenous MRI machine will considerably boost India’s domestic medical device manufacturing industry. This 1.5 Tesla MRI scanners will be installed at the AIIMS-Delhi by October 2025. After the MRI machine is validated for use in health facilities, the cost of MRI scans will drop by approximately 50 per cent. This will make diagnostics accessible and affordable to a broader population, thereby improving the healthcare delivered.
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