From Caregivers to Innovators: Fostering Entrepreneurship in India's Medical Professionals
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Science & Technology (Biotechnology, Health Tech), Governance (Government Initiatives - Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), Startup India, Atal Innovation Mission), Indian Economy (Entrepreneurship, Startups).
Mains:
GS Paper 2: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
GS Paper 3: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life; Achievements of Indians in science & technology; Indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
Key Highlights from the News
While the healthcare sector is rapidly advancing, the article argues that doctors' role in innovation is limited, with engineers and entrepreneurs leading this.
Doctors, who have deep knowledge of patients and treatment methods, becoming entrepreneurs will bring significant changes to the healthcare sector.
However, doctors' busy schedules, fear of failure (risk-averse mindset), and lack of knowledge in financial and product development fields hinder this.
While starting a clinic is entrepreneurship, it provides traditional services. What is needed is a truly revolutionary innovation (disruptive innovation) that develops new treatment methods, equipment, or digital systems.
To change this situation, entrepreneurship and bio-design should be included in medical education. Collaboration (interdisciplinary collaborations) should be fostered between medical and engineering students.
Innovation hubs should be established in hospitals, and med-tech startups should be encouraged.
In India, government initiatives like the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), Startup India, and Atal Innovation Mission assist med-tech entrepreneurs.
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