India’s efforts to strengthen domestic medical device manufacturing received a boost with the visit of Manoj Joshi, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India, to the Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone (AMTZ) in Visakhapatnam. Shri Joshi, accompanied by Aman Sharma, Joint Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, met leading medical technology manufacturers and industry representatives to discuss ways to build a stronger medical device manufacturing ecosystem in the country.
During the visit, Shri Joshi, along with Dr Jitendra Sharma, MD and Founder CEO, AMTZ, and heads of manufacturing units, took part in a round table meeting. Discussions focused on increasing domestic production, expanding testing and validation facilities, improving access to critical raw materials and components, and creating an integrated ecosystem to support innovation and reduce dependence on imports.
Shri Joshi said AMTZ offers a distinctive model of a government-led industrial ecosystem with integrated facilities that support the medical device industry. He said the work being carried out at AMTZ is strengthening India’s medical devices sector and will contribute to the country’s MedTech ambitions.
Dr Jitendra Sharma said the development of India’s medical devices sector has been driven by years of effort and commitment. He said AMTZ remains focused on building a stronger and more self-reliant MedTech ecosystem and contributing to better healthcare outcomes in India.
The visit also marked the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between AMTZ and Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital & Research Centre (HBCHRC). The partnership will focus on radiopharmaceuticals, radiochemistry and oncology research. It will combine AMTZ’s Techtron infrastructure with HBCHRC’s research and clinical expertise in oncology.
Aman Sharma said AMTZ provides an integrated set of facilities under one roof, similar to what is expected from a medical device park, and that these facilities are being actively used by manufacturing companies. Another key highlight of the visit was the inauguration of Dentic World, a specialised dental technology facility within the AMTZ ecosystem. The new centre will bring research, design, prototyping and advanced manufacturing together on a single platform.
Dentic World is expected to support the development and commercialisation of indigenous dental technologies and strengthen India’s capabilities in dental product innovation and manufacturing. The event concluded with Dr. Jitendra Sharma reaffirming AMTZ’s focus on ensuring that Indians do not have to wait for the technology they need. He said continued innovation and domestic manufacturing can help move India towards a healthier and more self-reliant future.
