Global health tech takeaways from the IASP Asia Pacific Division Event

Hosted by AMTZ - Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone, our IASP Asia Pacific division conference on 20-22 November 2024 gathered experts from the community to discuss “Global health, local innovation: MedTech for a better world”.  

Opened by Asia Pacific Division President Tom Bentley, AMTZ Founder CEO Dr Jitendra Sharma and IASP CEO Ebba Lund, the latter kicked off the programme introducing IASP and emphasising how internationalization and global connections are essential for long-term success in our industry, with Tom Bentley sharing his perspective on the regional dimension of innovation and drawing attention to the importance of interconnected elements of innovation in achieving sustainable development and building inclusive cities and regions. 

During the two-day event, attendees also had a chance to discover more about the local innovation ecosystem and its resident companies. In his speech, Dr Sharma shared the stories, milestones and achievements of this specialised cluster, highlighting how startups and companies serve as the driving force behind business and innovation if fuelled by an ecosystem that supports social change. Dr Sharma's words were especially resonant: “Being part of global associations like IASP makes you realize you’re not alone in this world, and best practices worldwide can be relevant to us just as ours can help fellow members worldwide. That’s how we grow by learning from each other”. 

In panels dedicated to the 'Make in India' initiative and MedTech for all, experts introduced local solutions which generated positive impact on society, like the introduction of water-wheels in rural areas of India, which boosted water access, alleviated the strain put on the spine of women carrying water on their heads, facilitated the involvement of men in this traditionally feminine task and thus freed time for young girls to attend school, or the production of affordable, 3D printed prosthetics which are accessible to the broader market. The development and manufacturing of affordable med-tech solutions can make a big difference in overcoming healthcare barriers and improving access to treatment and diagnosis, demonstrating the true power of innovation in transforming communities. 

One of the key takeaways from our speakers: innovation must always be scalable and impactful. STPs and AOIs provide just the right collaborative environment and infrastructure needed to foster such scalable innovation, offering a competitive advantage and driving growth for resident companies, as also remarked in the closing panel that offered a glimpse into the future trends emerging in our industry and how we can harness innovation to tackle global challenges.  

The event also offered the opportunity to connect further with the local ecosystem, with technical tours to resident companies and institutions, including the Kalam Institute of Health Technology (KIHT), a WHO Collaborating Office. 

A huge thanks to AMTZ for hosting us, and to all the speakers and participants for joining us on these inspiring days.We look forward to continuing the dialogue and building upon the connections made!