Jitendra Singh Highlights India’s Healthcare Innovation Push at SCTIMST Convocation in Kerala

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh, highlighted India’s growing focus on healthcare innovation, indigenous medical technology, and advanced scientific research while virtually addressing the annual convocation of the 42nd batch of the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

The event was attended by Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava as the Chief Guest. SCTIMST, an Institution of National Importance under the Department of Science and Technology, is currently celebrating its Golden Jubilee year.

The convocation highlighted the institute’s achievements in medical research, indigenous device development, neurosurgery, cardiac sciences, digital healthcare innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Government Expanding SCTIMST’s Capacity

In his address, Dr. Jitendra Singh congratulated graduating students and praised SCTIMST’s contributions to healthcare, medical science, and technology innovation in India.

He announced that approval for the appointment of nearly 800 permanent faculty members would almost double the institute’s operational capacity.

The Minister also appreciated the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for establishing major infrastructure facilities at the institute, including:

• A nine-floor Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) block

• A four-floor services block

According to Singh, these additions would strengthen SCTIMST’s position as one of India’s leading centres for:

• Neurosurgery

• Cardiac sciences

• Advanced medical research

More Than 17,000 Ayushman Bharat Patients Treated

The Minister congratulated SCTIMST doctors for treating more than 17,000 patients under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Yojana since 2020.

He also referred to the foundation stone laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Malini Vasundhara Centre, describing it as a major advancement in precision-based and non-invasive treatments for:

• Neurological conditions

• Cancer-related diseases

Officials said the centre would contribute significantly to next-generation treatment and research capabilities.

Focus on Indigenous Medical Devices

Dr. Jitendra Singh strongly emphasized SCTIMST’s role in developing indigenous and affordable medical devices.

“The unique focus of the institute is in the making of medical devices which are world-class, highly effective, and at the same time indigenous and cost-effective,” he said.

He noted that several technologies developed at the institute are transferred to industry every year, including seven technologies scheduled for transfer this year.

India has increasingly focused on strengthening domestic medical device manufacturing as part of broader efforts to improve self-reliance in healthcare technologies.

Collaboration Between Leading Institutions

The Minister also highlighted SCTIMST’s eight-institution Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) initiative, which brings together leading national institutions to build a collaborative research ecosystem.

He described the initiative as:

“A unique effort that brought together eight leading national institutions to create a collaborative cluster and foster a synergistic research ecosystem.”

According to Singh, such partnerships are essential for strengthening:

• Interdisciplinary innovation

• Scientific research

• Healthcare technology development

• National scientific capabilities

ISRO Partnership in Space Medicine

Dr. Singh also praised the collaboration between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and SCTIMST in the field of space medicine.

He said the initiative could open new opportunities for:

• Medical research

• Innovation

• Clinical applications

• Emerging medical technologies

India has been increasing investments in space medicine and biomedical research linked to future human spaceflight programmes.

Health Secretary Highlights India’s Wellness-Oriented Healthcare Model

Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava congratulated the graduating students and praised SCTIMST’s model of collaboration between engineers and medical professionals.

She described the institute as:

“A pioneering institution that has a unique character, where engineers and medical professionals work together to drive innovation in healthcare, develop new medical devices, and undertake cutting-edge research.”

Srivastava also outlined the government’s broader healthcare reforms and public health initiatives.

Ayushman Bharat Focused on Continuum of Care

The Health Secretary said the Ayushman Bharat initiative aims to ensure that citizens “live long and live well” through an integrated continuum of healthcare services.

She explained that the National Health Policy 2017 focuses on:

• Preventive healthcare

• Promotive healthcare

• Curative services

• Rehabilitative care

• Palliative healthcare

According to Srivastava, India’s healthcare system is increasingly shifting toward a wellness-oriented model emphasizing:

• Early disease screening

• Preventive healthcare

• Primary healthcare strengthening

• Management of non-communicable diseases

She noted that expanded healthcare packages now include services related to:

• Mental healthcare

• Geriatric care

• Palliative care

• Screening for chronic illnesses

Over 600 Million Citizens Covered Under PM-JAY

Srivastava highlighted that more than 600 million citizens are currently covered under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY).

She explained that the system is structured around:

• Ayushman Arogya Mandirs

• Community health centres

• District hospitals

• Medical colleges

• Empanelled private hospitals

The initiative is designed to create integrated referral pathways from primary to tertiary care.

Digital Health and ABHA System Expanding

The Health Secretary also highlighted the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission and the ABHA digital health account system.

She said the system enables citizens to securely access and share longitudinal digital health records across healthcare institutions with patient consent.

According to Srivastava, the initiative strengthens:

• Continuity of care

• Referral systems

• Precision healthcare

• Digital patient history management

PM-ABHIM and Health Infrastructure Expansion

Referring to the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), Srivastava said the programme aims to build pandemic-resilient healthcare systems and address infrastructure gaps.

She also highlighted:

• The Integrated Health Information Platform

• Support for healthcare institutions

• Expansion of healthcare infrastructure nationwide

Under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), she noted that:

• 75 super-specialty blocks have been constructed

• 22 new AIIMS institutions are being supported across India

Artificial Intelligence and Healthcare Innovation

Srivastava discussed India’s increasing focus on Artificial Intelligence in healthcare.

She referred to:

• The recently launched AI healthcare strategy with IIT Kanpur

• The ‘Bhashini’ open data platform developed by the National Health Authority

These initiatives aim to support benchmarking and development of AI-driven healthcare tools and services.

Regulatory Reforms to Support Innovation

The Health Secretary said the government is working to strengthen regulatory systems while simplifying procedures for research and innovation.

She highlighted reforms by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), including:

• Simplified procedures for low-risk drugs

• Eased licensing requirements

• Simplification of bioavailability and bioequivalence studies

• Regulatory reforms in medical devices

According to Srivastava, the goal is to ensure both public safety and innovation-friendly regulation.

Students Encouraged to Embrace Ethics and Lifelong Learning

Addressing graduating students, Srivastava urged them to continue learning throughout their careers as technology and medical knowledge evolve rapidly.

She also emphasized:

• Compassion toward patients

• Ethical conduct

• Integrity

• Teamwork between engineers and doctors

She said these qualities would play a critical role in building a “Viksit Bharat” or developed India.

Degrees Awarded Across Multiple Specialties

A total of 130 graduates received degrees during the convocation.

The graduating students included those enrolled in:

• DM programmes

• MCh programmes

• Post-doctoral fellowships

• Master of Public Health

• PhD programmes

• Diploma and PG Diploma courses

Special merit certificates were also awarded to faculty members who had received national and international recognition.

The institute additionally unveiled:

• A Golden Jubilee logo

• A commemorative song marking the occasion

Distinguished Guests Attend Ceremony

The ceremony was attended by several distinguished personalities including:

• Dr. Krishna M. Ella, Executive Chairman and Co-founder of Bharat Biotech

• Kris Gopalakrishnan, President of SCTIMST

• Dr. Sanjay Behari, Director of SCTIMST

Faculty members, parents, students, and other dignitaries were also present at the event.