Kharagpur, India: The Common Research and Technology Development Hub (CRTDH) on Affordable Healthcare at IIT Kharagpur has entered a self-sustaining phase after completing its initial grant-supported period, with the facility continuing to support affordable medical technology development and its transition from laboratories to real-world healthcare settings.
The new phase was inaugurated by Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Secretary of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) and Director General of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), at the Ben Gupta Auditorium on September 5.
Established in 2019 under the CRTDH Scheme of DSIR, the facility now covers its operational expenses through user fees, industry sponsorships and translational partnerships. It will continue providing research infrastructure, technical expertise and technology development support to MSMEs, startups and individual innovators working on healthcare solutions.
The hub’s work since its establishment includes more than 20 technology transfers, with several technologies already commercialised. Operating from a 5,000-square-foot facility, it has also worked with clinical and non-governmental organisations to establish rural health units aimed at deploying affordable healthcare technologies.
A key component of the initiative has been training people who can use these technologies in communities with limited access to diagnostic services. Fifteen frontline health workers from remote villages, including areas in the Sundarbans and Birbhum, shared their experiences at the event. After receiving training and certification through the hub’s skilling programmes, they are operating rural health units alongside health delivery structures under the National Health Mission.
These units provide screening, referral and follow-up services in communities where access to diagnostic facilities can be limited or intermittent.
During the event, enterprises mentored by the CRTDH also discussed their experience of converting laboratory prototypes into commercial products. Technologies developed at the facility and products commercialised by partner enterprises were displayed for participants.
Around 200 people attended the programme, including government officials, MSMEs, startups, researchers, clinical partners, rural health workers and students. The event was organised as part of IIT Kharagpur’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Source: This article is based on an official press release issued by the Press Information Bureau
Press Release: Press Information Bureau
