The Medical Technology Association of India (MTaI) has expressed strong support for the Government of India’s Electronics Repair Services Outsourcing (ERSO) initiative and has urged the inclusion of medical devices under this scheme.
The ERSO pilot in Bengaluru, featuring companies like Lenovo and Flex, highlighted India’s global competitiveness by reducing customs clearance times from 10-15 days to just 2-3 days and enabling exports to the U.S. and Europe. With the government aiming for a 20% share in the $100 billion global repair market, medical device refurbishment is seen as a natural extension. MTaI believes an expanded ERSO ecosystem can draw global expertise through technology transfer, boost exports, and establish systems for component harvesting.
India’s healthcare sector, especially in tier 2-4 cities and rural areas, faces challenges due to the suspension of refurbished medical device imports. Over 70% of healthcare facilities in these regions are small private providers who depend on affordable pre-owned equipment such as CT, MRI, and robotic systems.
MTaI Chairman Pavan Choudary warned that a prolonged suspension could negatively impact healthcare providers and jobs, suggesting interim imports with approvals from the DGHS and MoEFCC. He also clarified the distinction between import substitution and import replacement. According to Mr. Choudary, import substitution is government-driven and can reduce competitiveness, while import replacement grows organically—eventually creating an ecosystem that generates jobs and supports local economies.
Globally, pre-owned medical equipment serves 7-9% of needs in the U.S. and EU. Countries including the U.K., Japan, Canada, South Korea, and Australia allow this trade.
To ensure quality and patient safety, MTaI recommends limiting the refurbishment of medical devices to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). This guarantees that updates use genuine parts and meet regulatory standards. Pre-owned equipment with service guarantees can improve affordability and access, especially outside metro cities, and also create skilling opportunities to support India’s goal of exporting 2 lakh healthcare workers annually.
MTaI calls for a collaborative policy framework to protect healthcare access, build skills, and help India emerge as a global hub for medical device repair and refurbishment.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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