During the Vaikapa government, the development of Medtech Zone did not get proper support. Jitendra Sharma, the CEO of the company, went ahead with the help of the central government. Locals are hopeful that with Chandrababu becoming the Chief Minister again, investment will increase and employment opportunities will improve.
Galla S Kiran Kumar, Bureau Chiefhas grown to an international level in the manufacturing of medical equipment.
Eight years ago
A forest area as far as the eye can see.. Not only transport facilities.. Cell phone signals are not even available!
Now..
The area became a center of innovation. It became a barrier during the covid disaster. It has become a symbol of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s foresight and dedication. An unfeasible project has grown into a ‘Global Hub’. Rs. 10 thousand crores of products has reached the level of offering. Andhra Pradesh Medical Technology (MedTech) Zone in Visakhapatnam.
During the tenure of Y Kappa government, the development of Medtech Zone did not get proper support. Jitendra Sharma, CEO of the company, went ahead with the help of the central government. With Chandrababu becoming the Chief Minister again, the locals are hopeful that investment will increase and employment opportunities will improve. Accordingly, Chandrababu made his goal clear by visiting the Medtech zone during his first visit to Uttarandhra after taking charge as CM. At the time of its inception, 96 percent of medical equipment was imported domestically. Their value per year is Rs. 65 thousand crores. Jitendra Sharma, who was working in the Central Health Department at that time, noticed this. He worked as a health advisor to Chandrababu who was the Chief Minister in 2015. It has been proposed to the central and state governments to have a center for the manufacture of medical devices. Chandrababu encouraged Sharma even though no one supported him at that time. Setting up a Medtech zone requires scientific laboratories. At that time they were only in China, America and Singapore. It is thought that if they are established locally, investments will come and an eco system will be created. Sharma agreed when Chandrababu said that Visakhapatnam, which has a port, is an ideal location for exporting manufactured equipment. Later the state government allocated 275 acres near Nadupuru village in Pedagantyada mandal. The foundation stone of the MedTech Zone was laid in 2016. The construction of the first phase started on January 3, 2018. It was completed within 342 days and created a record. At the same speed, investors from the country and abroad are being attracted. In 2018 alone, more than 80 companies and research laboratories were established.
Inside a medical device manufacturing center..
With more than 145 companies..
MedTech Zone is currently the largest medical technology park with more than 145 companies. While more than 150 products are manufactured here, more than 6,000 people are performing duties. In the market Rs. 25, the glucometer strips are available here for Rs. 1.86k are being produced. MRI, CT scan, cath lab, pace maker, biochemistry, hematology analyzer, beds used in hospital… many things are being produced. The MedTech Zone is also acting as a technical advisor to WHO. Centers belonging to 15 ministries including the Kalam Institute of Health Technology under the auspices of the Central Government are operating here. One million RTPCR kits, 500 oxygen concentrators and 100 ventilators were manufactured here per day during the Covid disaster. Mobile container hospitals, RTPCR vehicles and mobile oxygen plants were prepared and moved to rural
India should be placed at the top
Leaders with administrative skills like CM Chandrababu are rare. It is believed that AMTZ will develop further under his leadership. We work under his cooperation and guidance. India should be placed at the top of the world in medical technology. Imports of medical equipment should be reduced by 20 percent. We are working towards this goal.
Plan for ‘Made in India’ hospitals
A ‘Cyclo Tron’, which produces radioisotopes useful in cancer treatment, has been set up in the Medtech zone. The raw materials used for manufacturing implants needed in knee and hip surgeries are produced only in Italy and America. As the third center in the world and the first in the country, their production center ‘National Institute of Additive Material’ has been set up at AMTZ. CM Chandrababu recently started these which were established with the help of the central government. A plan is being prepared to set up ‘Made in India hospitals’ in different parts of the country with medical equipment manufactured here. Efforts are being made to establish them in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Barbados, Fiji, Philippines and other countries
