As part of the government’s push for indigenous innovation in the medical device sector, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, is preparing to install the first domestically developed MRI scanner for clinical evaluation. This initiative aims to reduce dependency on imported medical devices and lower healthcare costs.
AIIMS has collaborated with the Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering & Research (SAMEER) to facilitate the installation of this indigenously built Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner for trial use.
Following the formalisation of this partnership, AIIMS Director Dr. M. Srinivas shared, “The first Indian-made MRI scanner will be installed at AIIMS. Having experience with some of the world’s best medical equipment allows us to provide valuable feedback to ensure the innovation meets international standards.”
According to reports, the MRI machine is expected to be installed by October for clinical trials. The project aligns with the government’s broader objective of enhancing self-reliance in medical technology while making advanced diagnostics more affordable and accessible.
Development of the Indigenous MRI System
The 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner has been developed by SAMEER, an autonomous R&D institute under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
As per SAMEER’s official records, the initiative, titled “Indigenous Magnetic Resonance Imaging (IMRI) – A National Mission (Swadeshi Chumbakiya Anu-naad Chitran – Ek Rashtriya Abhiyaan) (SCAN-ERA)”, began in December 2014. The goal was to design, develop, and test a domestically manufactured 1.5 Tesla MRI system.
Alongside the MRI system, SAMEER has also designed six MEV Linear Accelerators, contributing further to India’s medical technology sector.
Reducing Import Dependency in Medical Devices
Currently, 80-85% of India’s medical device needs are met through imports. In the fiscal year 2023-24, the country’s medical device import bill rose by 13% to ₹69,000 crore, underscoring the need for local manufacturing.
To tackle this issue, the government has introduced Production-Linked Incentives (PLI) for domestic medical device production. Under the first phase of the PLI scheme, 19 projects were approved to manufacture 46 medical devices within India.
Last month, during a post-budget briefing, the Secretary of the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) highlighted that, as a result of the PLI initiative, India has begun manufacturing seven critical medical devices, including:
- CT scanners
- MRI machines
- Linear Accelerators (LINAC)
- Rotational Cobalt Machines
- Catheterization Laboratories (Cath Labs)
- Heart Valves
- Dialysis Machines
This shift toward domestic production of high-end medical equipment is expected to boost India’s self-sufficiency in the healthcare sector, making advanced medical technology more widely available and affordable.
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