Sustainable growth in digital health rests on data privacy, interoperability, and regulatory compliance

Avantel has traditionally operated in defence and telecom technologies. What prompted the company to enter the healthcare space through imeds, and how does this new vertical align with your broader strategic vision?

Avantel Limited has built strong expertise in communications, embedded systems, and secure technology platforms through decades of work in the defence and telecom sectors. The decision to enter healthcare through imeds Global Private Limited was a strategic move to apply this deep technology capability to a high-impact civilian sector—connected medical devices and digital health solutions.

India’s healthcare ecosystem is rapidly transforming, particularly with the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, which promotes interoperable digital health records, telemedicine, and connected care infrastructure. Such large-scale digital integration requires secure, reliable, and intelligently designed medical technologies—areas that align naturally with Avantel’s core strengths. At the same time, India’s medical devices market is projected to grow from approximately $11 billion in 2020 to $50 billion by 2030 (IBEF), creating a significant domestic opportunity that strengthens the case for indigenous MedTech manufacturing under the “Make in India” initiative.

imeds is driven by a clear mission: to develop quality, affordable, and user-friendly healthcare solutions in pursuit of a self-reliant and healthier India. The focus is on building world-class medical products that reduce import dependence while meeting both local and global needs.

Our vision is to become India’s leading healthcare solution provider, recognised for innovation, reliability, and meaningful impact on patient lives. Continuous innovation, precision engineering, and high-quality standards form the foundation of this approach.

Beyond technology, imeds is committed to community impact—ensuring that every product contributes to improving healthcare access and outcomes. The organisation emphasises excellence in execution and maintains respect for employees, partners, healthcare professionals, and patients, fostering a culture built on trust and shared purpose.

Through imeds, Avantel is strategically expanding its technological legacy into healthcare—aligning long-term growth with national priorities and meaningful societal impact.

imeds is being developed out of Visakhapatnam within the ecosystem of Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone. What advantages does this location offer in terms of manufacturing, collaboration, and product development?

AMTZ offers shared infrastructure such as common testing laboratories, sterilisation facilities, calibration centres, and regulatory support services. This significantly reduces capital expenditure and time-to-market for device manufacturers. The ecosystem also promotes collaboration between academia, startups, manufacturers, and regulatory bodies. Visakhapatnam provides strategic advantages including port access for exports, an emerging industrial ecosystem, and proximity to engineering talent. Being located within AMTZ enables imeds to focus on product innovation and clinical validation while leveraging established manufacturing and compliance infrastructure.

AI-driven diagnostics and remote patient monitoring are gaining traction in India. How do you see these technologies influencing the future of home- based healthcare delivery?

India has a large and growing population of chronic patients, including a substantial number of respiratory cases requiring continuous monitoring of oxygen saturation, cardiac rhythm, blood pressure, and glucose levels. Managing these patients through hospital-centric models alone is impractical, particularly given that India’s doctor-to-patient ratio remains below WHO recommendations and hospital bed availability is limited.

Additionally, Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS), AI-supported diagnostics and remote post-procedure monitoring can reduce hospital stays, optimise bed utilisation, and lower readmission rates.

AI-driven diagnostics and Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) are set to significantly reshape home-based healthcare delivery in India.

IoT-enabled remote monitoring devices allow real-time transmission of patient data from home to clinicians, enabling early intervention, continuous supervision, and reduced hospital visits. AI-driven analytics layered over these systems enable predictive risk assessment, automated triaging, and personalised care pathways—acting as a force multiplier for clinicians and improving efficiency.

From a cost perspective, home-based monitoring reduces hospitalisation expenses, shortens length of stay, lowers insurance claims, and decreases out-of-pocket costs for patients.

Overall, the convergence of AI, IoT, and remote monitoring is shifting healthcare in India from reactive hospital-based treatment to proactive, predictive, and home-centred care—reserving hospital infrastructure for acute cases while safely managing chronic and stable patients at home.

What are the key barriers to scaling home healthcare solutions in India, particularly in semi-urban and rural markets?

Despite strong growth potential, structural barriers continue to constrain scale. Infrastructure gaps persist, with uneven broadband connectivity and unreliable power supply in rural regions (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India data). Affordability remains a critical hurdle, as a significant share of healthcare spending is still out-of-pocket (National Health Accounts), limiting adoption of advanced home-care devices without insurance coverage. Behavioural barriers around awareness and trust slow uptake of home-based monitoring, while regulatory frameworks under the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization continue to evolve, requiring careful compliance alongside innovation. Finally, seamless integration with hospital workflows is essential to translate remote monitoring into actionable clinical value. Overcoming these challenges will require coordinated policy support, expanded insurance inclusion, and strong public–private partnerships.

As digital health adoption grows, how should the industry approach data privacy, interoperability, and regulatory compliance to ensure sustainable growth?

Sustainable growth in digital health rests on three strategic pillars: data privacy, interoperability, and regulatory compliance. India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act provides the legal foundation for safeguarding personal and health data, requiring robust encryption, secure storage, and consent-driven data sharing.

Interoperability, driven by the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, mandates standardised health IDs and seamless data exchange, compelling device manufacturers and digital platforms to align with national standards. At the same time, compliance with the Medical Devices Rules, 2017 under CDSCO, along with globally recognised quality benchmarks such as ISO 13485, ensures safety, clinical validation, and manufacturing excellence. Ultimately, sustained adoption will hinge on trust, built through transparent governance, strong cybersecurity frameworks, and close alignment with India’s evolving digital health architecture.

With increasing emphasis on domestic manufacturing in MedTech, what steps are necessary for Indian companies to remain globally competitive while maintaining affordability?

With increasing emphasis on domestic manufacturing in MedTech, Indian companies must adopt a balanced strategy to remain globally competitive while maintaining affordability.

Scale-driven manufacturing through cluster-based ecosystems such as Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone (AMTZ) enables shared infrastructure, reduced production costs, and operational efficiencies. This not only strengthens India’s position as a global manufacturing hub but also generates significant employment opportunities for our people across manufacturing, engineering, quality control, R&D, and supply chain functions.

Reducing dependency on imports by localising raw materials and components is essential to improve supply chain resilience, lower costs, and minimise reliance on other countries. This enhances national healthcare security and economic stability.

At the same time, companies must invest in R&D, innovation, and clinical validation to meet stringent international regulatory standards such as CE, US FDA, and BIS certifications. Strong quality systems ensure global credibility while maintaining affordability through efficient design and context-appropriate solutions for emerging markets.

Additionally, strengthening domestic manufacturing and research ecosystems helps retain talent, reduce brain drain, and fully utilise India’s engineering and technical capabilities.

With policy support from initiatives like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme, Indian MedTech companies have the opportunity to combine cost-efficient manufacturing, innovation, regulatory compliance, and employment generation to deliver globally competitive yet accessible healthcare solutions.

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