MeitY’s R&D Institute SAMEER Signs MoU With Siemens Healthineers On MRI Technology
SAMEER, an R&D Institute of Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding with Siemens Healthineers that will contribute towards the development of new, improved and innovative technologies for advancing healthcare and diagnostic access in India.
Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Electronics and IT, who was present on the occasion, said it will make available low-cost MRIs as part of PM’s vision of providing quality, and affordable healthcare and diagnostic access for every Indian.
Stating that healthcare sector in India represents a big market, the Minister said that the Government is prepared to partner with global companies who are willing to set up manufacturing bases in India. “We are also supportive of R&D model based on co-development between global companies and India’s vast network of academic institutions.”
Citing the example of how the government is working closely with industry leaders and academicians in the semiconductor sector, the Minister said, “The government is willing to sit with experts from the healthcare sector to chart out the curriculum for grooming the next-generation talent in India.”
SAMEER, which is the acronym for Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering & Research, specializes in RF Microwaves Radar and Communication Systems, E3 testing and Medical Electronics.
The Minister expressed hope that the partnership while synergizing the expertise of SAMEER and Siemens Healthineers in healthcare technologies particularly in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Linear Accelerators (LINAC), will pursue joint activities that will improve access to MRI in India. “Siemens Healthineers is a good partner of India not just in health care but also in other sectors as well,” he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Peter Schardt, Chief Technology Officer, Siemens Healthineers, said, "India is a strategic market for Siemens Healthineers and it plays an important role in global innovation and technology expansion to achieve the future of healthcare." He added, "The partnership will build on our focus towards fighting the most life threatening diseases to expanding access to patient care. By such collaborations, we strive to make healthcare even more efficient, sustainable, and humane for everyone across the country."
Dr P. Hanumantha Rao, Director General of SAMEER, said "SAMEER has been pursuing R&D in the advanced Linear accelerators for Cancer Therapy and Magnetic Resonance Imaging systems for diagnostics, a fully funded research program by MeitY, Govt of India. He also highlighted that SAMEER and Siemens Healthineers proposed partnership has a long vision in creating local industry access for Siemens Healthineers, and in turn, SAMEER will get access to next-generation research in advanced healthcare technologies."
