PRESS RELEASE
Monday 19th July 2010
Indian private hospital delegation to visit Nottingham
Access to the highly lucrative Indian healthcare market, currently estimated at £21 billion, will become a reality for several East Midlands medical sector firms when senior decision-makers from leading Indian private hospital groups visit Nottingham on Tuesday 20th July. Medilink East Midlands has joined with UK Trade & Investment to organise a day of meet-the-buyer sessions at Jury’s Inn, Nottingham for 15 regional firms whose devices or services could eventually contribute to the 80% of medical services already imported by private hospitals in India.
India’s fast growing private healthcare sector accounts for 65% of primary care and 40% of hospitals. Six hospital groups will be represented including Fortis Healthcare Limited one of the largest private healthcare companies in India with a network of 62 hospitals and Apollo Hospitals, the third largest corporate hospital group in the world. Fortis will increase the number of beds from the present 1790 to 4000 over the next five years, and Apollo Hospitals plans to increase the number of clinics from the present 50 to 250 in the next couple of years.
The Indian delegation is particularly interested in talking to suppliers of medical devices, operating theatre equipment, infection control products and services, rehabilitation products as well as laboratory equipment. They will also be looking for partners in the delivery of emergency medical services, eHealth, medical education and training and hospital infrastructure.
One of the companies set to make the most of this visit is Nottingham-based ocularist John Pacey-Lowrie Ltd. The company designs, hand-paints and manufactures artificial eyes: “Despite 1% of the world’s population needing our services, there are very few ocularists in the world, especially in developing countries, says John. “We want to work with Indian private hospitals to provide the best possible care and to help restore confidence and self-esteem to patients with our bespoke devices.”
Darren Clark, CEO of Medilink East Midlands is impressed with the breadth and quality of companies set to meet the Indian delegation: “It is quite apparent that we have a strong and highly competitive healthcare and medtech sector in the region. From the design of laboratory incubators and evacuation equipment to the provision of complex medical documentation, I am confident that deals will be struck as a result of Tuesday’s meetings.”
For UK Trade and Investment, Peter Hogarth adds: “UKTI has 9 offices in India and, through them, a significant understanding of the Indian market. In the East Midlands, the medical and life sciences sector is leading the way in many areas of healthcare delivery and I am confident that it is well placed to take advantage of the many opportunities represented by our visitors from India, who we are delighted to welcome to the region. We are, of course, pleased to offer our support to any company looking to do business in the sub-continent.”
ENDS
Media contacts:
Jayne Russell
07896 538997
Louise Third, Integra Communications
0115 912 4350 / 07917 691532
Available for interview and photos on Tuesday:
Dr Anil Maini, Apollo Hospitals
Dr Sameer Khan, Fortis Hospitals
Dr Darren Clark, Medilink East Midlands
Editor notes:
India Healthcare Facts:
The Indian Healthcare industry is estimated to grow from the current level of around Rs 1500 billion (US$ 37.5 billion) to over Rs 3000 billion (US$ 75 billion) by 2012. At Rs 690 billion ((£10 billion), private spending accounts for a significant chunk of the healthcare delivery market.
Medilink EM was established by emda in 2000 and formed a limited by Guarantee Company in February 2004. Medilink EM is the networking organisation for the healthcare and bioscience sector in the East Midlands, encompassing medical technologies, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. Membership benefits include specific healthcare support in marketing, regulatory affairs, clinical evaluation and procurement, access to training and networking events, international conference and exhibition support, and use of sophisticated research tools.
Medilink EM’s diverse membership base includes large healthcare companies such as 3M Health Care in Loughborough, medium size companies including Pennine Healthcare in Derby and smaller companies like Hospital Aids in Northampton. Membership is also drawn from the region’s broader healthcare community including service companies, the universities, and the NHS.
MedilinkEM is also part of a national network of similar organisations, Medilink UK, which is driving national healthcare strategy through its links with central government.
UK Trade & Investment is the government department that provides integrated support services for UK companies engaged in overseas trade and foreign enterprises seeking to locate in the UK. It brings together the work of teams in British embassies and FCO posts overseas and government departments across Whitehall. In England, international trade support is coordinated by nine International Trade Directors working in partnership with each Regional Development Agency. UK Trade & Investment services are delivered locally through a network of International Trade Teams. The devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own arrangements for local delivery of services. For more information visit the website www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk or http://www.emids.uktradeinvest.gov.uk/