Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi's "Make in India" campaign throws up opportunities for growth of domestic medical devices industry, which is not only underinvested but heavily import-oriented at present, says WHO.

"With the current, 'Make in India' campaign, there is a huge opportunity for growth and expansion of the medical device industry. This would highly improve the access of essential medical devices and health care technology to patients in the country," said WHO Representative to India, Ms Nata Menabde, in a statement.

She was speaking at an event to formally announce the commencement of National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC), as the WHO collaborating centre for Priority Medical Devices and Health Technology Policy.

The division of healthcare technology and innovation at NHSRC has been working in the area of health technologies and related policy interface. Its works includes framing of technical specifications for technologies procured under National Health Mission, best practices for technology life-cycle management and maintenance, secretariat for assessment and uptake of innovations into public health systems among others, according to a statement by NHSRC.