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Guest Lecture Highlights India’s Vision for Self-Reliance in Medical Technology and Universal Healthcare

Published on: March 1, 2025

The Department of Clinical Research at the Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Swami Rama Himalayan University, hosted an engaging and insightful guest lecture on “Universal Healthcare and the Role of Medical Technology” on March 1, 2025, at the Adi Kailash Auditorium. The event was facilitated by Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Dr. Rajendra Dobhal and featured distinguished speaker Dr. Jitendra Sharma, Managing Director and Founder CEO of Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone (AMTZ), and Founder Executive Director of Kalam Institute of Health Technology. The session attracted 188 participants, including undergraduate and postgraduate students, faculty members, and researchers.

Dr. Sharma provided a comprehensive overview of India’s medical device sector, focusing on the vision and achievements of the “Make in India” initiative. He emphasized the importance of strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities to reduce reliance on expensive imports and improve healthcare accessibility. The session highlighted key government initiatives, such as the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme and the expansion of MedTech Parks, which are fostering innovation and encouraging investment in the healthcare technology space.

In addition to growth opportunities, Dr. Sharma addressed critical challenges faced by the MedTech sector, including the need for advanced technologies, skilled professionals, regulatory compliance, and greater adoption of indigenous devices. He also explored the role of cutting-edge innovations such as 3D printing, artificial intelligence, wearable health devices, and robotic surgery in transforming healthcare delivery.

The lecture underlined that collaboration between academia, industry, and policymakers is crucial to positioning India as a global leader in medical technology manufacturing. Participants appreciated Dr. Sharma’s ability to distill complex policy frameworks and technical advancements into accessible and practical insights. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof. AK Deorari, Principal, HIMS, who acknowledged Dr. Sharma’s valuable contribution and lauded the university’s ongoing commitment to promoting responsible, forward-looking medical education and research.

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International Endowed Chair Professor

Prof Rakesh Kumar

Prof Rakesh Kumar is the Founder and President of the Breast Cancer in Young Women Foundation (USA), dedicated to vaddressing the distinct issues affecting young women with breast cancer. He also serves as the International Endowed Chair Professor at the Cancer Research Institute of the Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences. Additionally, he holds adjunct professorships at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Dr Kumar earned his Ph.D. from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in 1984 and began his research career at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in January 1986. From 1988 to 2017, he held various academic and leadership positions —including faculty member, tenured professor, distinguished professor, endowed chair, department chair, and research leader—at esteemed institutions such as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. From 2017 to 2022, he served as the National Chair for Cancer Research for the Government of India and as a distinguished professor, continuing his innovative work in breast cancer research.

With nearly 40 years of research and professional experience, Dr. Kumar has made conceptual contributions to the field of cancer research (h-index 108, citations >50,000). He has authored over 325 peer-reviewed publications, edited or co-edited nine books, and delivered 290 invited lectures worldwide. His work has been featured on the covers of 18 major cancer journals and has been highlighted in institutional research reports of the MD Anderson Cancer Center.

A passionate educator and mentor, Dr. Kumar has guided 67 trainees throughout his career. He serves on the editorial boards of multiple leading cancer journals and has served on the editorial boards of 21 top cancer journals. His global reputation is further demonstrated by his participation in about 100 peer-review panels for cancer research funding in the US and internationally over the past 28 years.

Dr. Kumar's innovative research has earned him numerous prestigious honors, including the Hinkle Society Faculty Award at Penn State University (1994), the Dalla/Fort Worth Living Legend Faculty Achievement Award in Basic Sciences (2004), the Ranbaxy Research Award (2006), and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Association of Indian Scientists in Cancer Research (2013), among others. Dr. Kumar's pioneering research continues to have a profound influence on the fields of oncology and breast cancer, opening up new opportunities for biomedical scientists and trainees worldwide.