MEDICAL FAIR INDIA 2020 offers Outlook on Digital Innovations Galore

As the most relevant innovation platform for the Indian health economy MEDICAL FAIR INDIA attracted health-tech companies, hospital owners, physicians, hospital administration executives and staff, physiotherapists, visitors with a medico-pharmaceutical education and investors as well as innovation specialists from four continents to Mumbai from 5 to 7 March 2020. Under the motto “Smart Hospital” the 26th edition focused on new digital technologies for healthcare, in particular. How can processes be optimised, also and especially at smaller and medium-sized hospitals thereby improving patient care? This was one of the core questions discussed by international experts at MFI. The Coronavirus pandemic and its global effects were also an important topic both at the exhibition and the conference programs.

On just under 5,000 square metres the leading medical trade fair for the Indian subcontinent offered a wide variety of highlights in the programme also one year after its anniversary edition. To the tune of 280 exhibitors from 20 countries showcased numerous product innovations and solutions for the Indian healthcare market. Next to Digital Health and Mobile Health further focal themes of MEDICAL FAIR INDIA 2020 included medical products and medical device technology, laboratory technology, diagnostics, furnishings as well as furniture for clinics and health centres.

“For years digital innovations have played an ever more prominent role in the medical field,” explains Thomas Schlitt, Managing Director at Messe Düsseldorf India, and adds: “Which is also why we adopted this theme for our trade fair. We would like to also give smaller hospitals and medical facilities the possibility to exchange and thereby organise themselves smartly.”

Tomorrow’s Market India

The positive mood in the exhibition halls was reflected in the general assessment of the sector’s development. “Over the past weeks we have felt that the world is increasingly perceiving India as a second source of supply for medical products next to China,” rejoices Rajiv Nath, founder and coordinator of the Forum of the Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AIMED) and partner of the MAKE IN INDIA pavilion.

As a networking platform the trade fair offers foreign companies, in particular, good opportunities for entering the Indian healthcare market, that has posted remarkable growth rates over the past two decades. “India continues to be among the most attractive growth markets worldwide. According to estimates, it is expected to rise to being the world’s second biggest economy before the USA as early as in 2030,” says Franziska Kindervater, Director South Asia of
Thüringen International, an association represented with a joint Thuringia stand at MEDICAL FAIR INDIA. “Alongside sales opportunities for medical device technology and Life Sciences the Indian market holds great potential for such industries as laser and optics, mechanical and plant engineering, automotive as well as aviation and aerospace.”

Start-ups and innovative Solutions in Health Care: Future for Health (FTR4H)

Be it panel discussions, fireside chats or live presentations of the Startup Pavilion: as established part of MEDICAL FAIR INDIA, the international conference platform “Future for Health (FTR4H)” dealt with current digital health trends and innovations in a variety of dialogue formats. Furthermore, it joined forces with the “Center of Excellence for IoT & AI in India” initiative to present awards for start-ups that presented their innovative solutions in healthcare. By enlisting the initiative of the IT-industry association NASCCOM Messe Düsseldorf India succeeded in winning over a renowned "Digital Transformation Partner" for the FTR4H Platform.

Other highlights in the line-up of side events at MEDICAL FAIR INDIA included the 5th International Health Conference of Voice of Healthcare (VOH), where the latest technology trends as well as aspects of international cooperation between manufacturers and institutions were discussed, and CLIN LAB INDIA, a conference with exhibition on trending themes in lab medicine, organised in cooperation with Scherago (USA) and Health Care Events (India). 

rehaindia, powered by REHACARE, complemented the themes of MEDICAL FAIR INDIA with ranges from the rehabilitation segment. Commenting on this Thomas Schlitt said: “With this 3-day event we have contributed our know-how acquired through REHACARE, the leading international trade fair for nursing care and rehabilitation, for the second time now since this market is increasing in importance in India.”

The next MEDICAL FAIR INDIA will be held at the Pragati Maidan Exhibition Center in New Delhi from 25 to 27 February 2021.