A lifeline in battling India’s growing cancer burden, ET HealthWorld


India is becoming the cancer capital of the world where one in nine Indians is expected to face a cancer diagnosis in his/her lifetime.

Awareness, early screening, and effective treatment are paramount to address the scourge, especially in Tier 2 and 3 cities where the lack of healthcare infrastructure facilities compounds the issue. The limited availability of medical equipment in Tier 2+ cities has severely impacted the quality of healthcare services across the country. Bridging this gap is of utmost importance where medical device manufacturers need to factor in the cost sensitivity of these markets by developing or deploying cost-effective solutions without compromising quality.

Addressing the lack of accessibility to better healthcare infrastructure

The foundation of modern cancer care lies in sophisticated diagnostic equipment for early detection and advanced surgical systems for precise, minimally invasive treatment options. While these technological capabilities have transformed cancer care outcomes for a vast majority of those who live in metros, the associated high costs of such medical equipment often limit their widespread deployment across India’s vast geography. In this scenario, refurbished equipment –high-end, high-value medical equipment that is recycled for reuse – provides a practical and effective solution.

Refurbishment of medical equipment typically includes quality control processes wherein the devices undergo inspections and systematic checks to adhere to Indian and global safety standards. Such checks result in equipment that performs at levels comparable to new systems. Going forward we need to streamline and make these quality standards consistent for all refurbished medical equipment. This will ensure it is a safe and reliable choice for healthcare facilities looking to expand their service capabilities.

What makes refurbished medical equipment particularly compelling is its cost-effectiveness – offering savings of anywhere between 30-60% compared to new equipment.

This significant reduction in capital investment creates opportunities for more healthcare facilities to acquire such equipment, thereby allowing hospitals to offer advanced treatments at more affordable rates. For patients across India, it translates to improved access to quality care, paving the way for a more inclusive healthcare ecosystem.

Healthcare systems worldwide have offered valuable insights into expanding access to advanced medical care for improved patient outcomes. Take for example Turkey’s nationwide cancer screening program. By deploying mobile screening units equipped with diagnostic equipment across rural and underserved areas, the country has successfully improved early detection rates and brought care closer to patients.

Given India’s vast and diverse population, similar initiatives could be transformative for the country. It could help maximize reach, ensuring more patients benefit from advanced medical technologies.

Enhancing recovery rates and improving patient outcomes via equitable access to quality care

The strategic deployment of refurbished robotic-assisted surgery systems across India’s healthcare network could also catalyze a broader transformation in cancer care solutions. These systems, much like their brand-new counterparts, are versatile and perform a wide range of minimally invasive surgeries with precision and improved oncological outcomes. The result is faster recovery times that allow the patient to return to normal life as soon as possible. Since these systems would be locally available in surrounding hospitals, it would significantly reduce travel costs and other related expenses because of displacement from family. When you factor in that nearly half of a cancer patient’s total health expenditure is borne out of pocket, this economic relief can be a welcome respite for many.

As healthcare facilities enhance their infrastructure via refurbished equipment and build in the necessary capabilities and training of their doctors, they could build a robust and accessible network of quality care, better serving India’s diverse population and controlling the heavy cancer burden.

We should thus leverage every opportunity in making refurbished medical equipment more mainstream, with the government putting in place the necessary regulatory policy framework that assures healthcare facilities in Tier 2+ cities meet the highest standards of quality and patient safety.

This article is written by Dr. Anup Kumar, Robotic and Laparoscopic URO oncologist, Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi.

(DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are solely of the author and ETHealthworld.com does not necessarily subscribe to it. ETHealthworld.com shall not be responsible for any damage caused to any person/organisation directly or indirectly)

  • Published On Feb 4, 2025 at 05:09 PM IST

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