Why India must embrace high-integrity medical device refurbishment backed by OEMs: An MTaI perspective

In the evolving landscape of global medicine, India stands at a pivotal crossroads. The debate surrounding refurbished medical devices is no longer a simple binary of “affordability versus self-reliance.” Instead, it has matured into a sophisticated policy opportunity: the creation of a high-integrity ecosystem that expands healthcare access without compromising clinical excellence or discouraging domestic innovation. For the Healthcare landscape in India, the calibrated integration of high-end, pre-owned medical equipment is not merely a pragmatic choice it is a strategic lifeline.

Democratising patient access and affordability 

For the patient, the benefit is direct and life-changing. High-end diagnostic procedures are often the gatekeepers of effective treatment. When smaller healthcare facilities can acquire refurbished equipment at a fraction of the cost of new units, those savings “cascade” down to the patient. This model bridges the gap between patient need and technological availability, ensuring that life-saving diagnostics are not restricted to the affluent or those living in major urban centers. It transforms advanced healthcare from a luxury of the few into an accessible reality for the many.

A catalyst for clinical excellence and training

One of the most profound, yet under-discussed, benefits of a robust refurbishment framework is its impact on the medical fraternity. Advanced diagnostic tools-such as high-slice CT scanners, advanced MRI suites, and robotic surgical systems-often remain financially out of reach for smaller hospitals and Tier-II or Tier-III medical colleges. By enabling access to high-end refurbished technology, we provide a vital training ground for the next generation of Indian doctors. When medical residents and specialists in regional centres have daily access to global-standard diagnostic equipment, the “technology gap” between metropolitan hubs and the rest of the country narrows. This democratisation of technology ensures that doctors can be trained on the tools they will actually use in a modern clinical setting, ultimately improving the standard of care across the national geography. This will also help India move towards the target for Healthcare Worker export of 3,00,000 per annum set by the government and retain India’s position globally as the largest non-native HCW fraternity whose skills are technically aligned with the world.

The ERSO framework: Transforming India into a global repair hub

The economic argument for refurbishment is anchored in the revolutionary Electronics Repair Services Outsourcing (ERSO) initiative. Launched by MeitY, the ERSO pilot in Bengaluru demonstrated that India possesses the engineering talent and logistical potential to lead the $100 billion global repair market.

By reducing customs clearance times from 15 days to just 48-72 hours, the pilot proved that India can compete with established hubs like China and Malaysia, offering a cost advantage of approximately 57 per cent and 26 per cent, respectively. It also enables India to draw on its strong pool of biomedical engineering talent to service, certify, undertake responsible component harvesting and, where appropriate, re-export equipment to global markets. With the right enabling conditions, this could support meaningful economic value, high-quality employment, strategic IP accretion through process know-how helping position India as a trusted hub for medical technology lifecycle services. Extending ERSO principles to medical devices by bringing it under an umbrella of “Make in India for lifecycle services” will potentially create a high-skill domestic ecosystem spanning testing, calibration, refurbishment, installation, and long-term maintenance. Such a framework will complement Make in India. 

Seen this way, refurbishment can serve as a measured bridge expanding access in the near term while strengthening the capabilities, workforce, and service infrastructure that domestic manufacturing ultimately relies upon.

Sustainability and mission LiFE

Beyond economics, the refurbishment model is a masterclass in the Circular Economy. India is currently the world’s third-largest producer of e-waste, generating 1.6 million tonnes annually. Refurbishment directly addresses this by promoting a “use-and-reuse” model, extending product lifecycles and significantly reducing the carbon footprint of manufacturing. With the right policy guardrails, India does not become a dumping ground instead, it becomes a regulated circular economy hub that extends safe product life while internalising disposal responsibility. This aligns seamlessly with Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), championed by the Honorable Prime Minister. By institutionalising the “Right to Repair” and a “Repairability Index,” India can lead a global shift toward responsible consumption. Instead of allowing the country to become a destination for “technological dumping,” a transparent regulatory framework-overseen by the DGHS and MoEFCC-ensures that every refurbished device meets rigorous standards for safety, traceability, and quality.

Conclusion: A nuanced path forward

The MTaI believes, when we treat refurbishment as a high-precision industry rather than a secondary market, we unlock a triple-win: doctors receive better training tools, patients gain affordable access to world-class diagnostics, and the Indian economy secures a dominant share of the global value chain.

Refurbishment is not a compromise; it is a sophisticated bridge to a healthier, more sustainable, and economically resilient India.