THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Sree Chitra Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) has set an ambitious target of developing 40 medical devices which are currently being imported, in the next 10 years as part of Perspective Plan Vision 2030. At a press conference here, SCTIMST director Dr Asha Kishore said the Governing Body and Institute Body had approved the Perspective Plan to be implemented from 2021. Apart from 40 products, 20 more will be in advanced stages development by the end of 2030.
To implement the perspective plan, the institute requires 40 scientists and engineers besides an equal number of scientific/technical and administrative staff to bring in new skill. This is being done to make forays into new areas besides cardiac and neurological devices. The director said implementation of vision 2030 for the Biomedical Technology Wing of the Institute at Poojapura would cost around of Rs 350 crore.
She said the Governing Body of the Institute had approved the plans for augmenting infrastructure development and enhancement of man power in a phased manner. The Department of Science and Technology (DST), has given in principle approval for Rs 55 crore for setting up new Combination Devices Block and a new animal house. The first instalment for the Block at the BMT wing in Poojapura was received on Friday.
Dr Asha Kishore said that Centre had already sanctioned Rs 100 crore for the Research and Development activities of the BMT wing for 2016-2020 period after recognising it as a Technical Research Centre for Biomedical devices. About 27 new medical devices projects are currently on involving multidisciplinary teams of clinicians, engineers, scientists and technical staff. With the augmentation of infrastructure and manpower by 2020, the Institute will be ready to implement the projects under vision 2030.
