The availability of healthcare in India presents a diverse landscape, with a range of challenges and opportunities. While major cities boast world-class medical facilities and skilled healthcare professionals, rural areas often face limited access to quality healthcare services. Public healthcare infrastructure, although widespread, often grapples with issues of resource allocation and overcrowding. Thus, in a world where healthcare accessibility and awareness are paramount, Medtech Life stands at the forefront of innovative solutions and community-driven initiatives. Through an insightful interview with Mr. Rajnikant Shah, Chairman, Medtech, we delve into their corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and their vision for a healthier, more informed society. Join us as we explore their initiatives, collaborations, and future plans for a more sustainable and socially responsible healthcare landscape.
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Q. What is the CSR goal and vision of Medtech Life?
A. We started the company over 20 years ago with the vision of providing good quality healthcare for all. Our goal was to make healthcare affordable and accessible. Our CSR activities also reflect that. During the pandemic, we realized that we could positively support others in need, so we took our oxygen concentrators and made an oxygen van, which we kept outside hospitals for people to get free oxygen. Similarly, we also sponsor donation camps that help those in need and generate awareness in society.
Q. How does Medtech Life contribute to the betterment of human life through its innovative approach in the healthcare industry, and what sets its approach to innovation apart from others?
A. We are an Indian company that manufactures its devices in India. With constant investments in Research and Development, we have improvised a multitude of medical devices to make healthcare convenient for others. Our devices, being of the highest quality, have gained great acceptance among users.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 1.3 million people die each year due to infections caused by needlestick injuries, for which we introduced the signature life saving device, revolutionary Electrical Needle Burner and Syringe Destroyer, with its cutting-edge technology provides a safe and efficient method for the disposal of used needles and syringes. By incinerating needles and melting syringes at high temperatures, the device ensures complete destruction, eliminating the risk of accidental injuries and infections. This process not only eliminates the risk of needlestick injuries during handling, but also destroys any potential infectious agents present on the needles.
Q. What motivated Medtech Life to focus on raising awareness about heart health among the Mumbai Police Force, and how is the company contributing to their well-being through its campaign?
A. Every year, we plan on raising awareness of heart health among individuals. This year, we discovered that one of the most stressful jobs is that of a police officer, who serves the citizens 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We naturally knew that they must be under a lot of stress frequently, and we should at the very least make them aware of it and help them monitor and regulate their stress levels. We held wellness camps across 20+ Mumbai police stations and measured the blood pressure of over 1000 police personnel. We also conducted seminars on basic stress management exercises that can be done on a day-to-day basis to manage stress and installed BP monitoring devices in all these police stations, so that the officials can keep a check on their heart health. The campaign was a success and garnered great appreciation from the police force. It is a small gesture towards them for all the things the Mumbai police does for us.
Q. How does Medtech Life plan to extend its message of health awareness to the broader population?
A. Medtech has been conducting a year-long blood pressure awareness campaign. Our on-field force set up booths for individuals to measure blood pressure and make them aware of the importance of regular monitoring. A first-hand experience with their blood pressure has helped make users cognizant of their numbers. We have also recently launched an online campaign that showcases the importance of correct blood pressure monitoring. The campaign garnered over 10 million views and has helped create awareness among the audience. We envisage conducting more of such impactful campaigns across the entire country and save lives through the spread of awareness amongst people.
Q. How has Medtech collaborated with local communities, educational institutions and other social sector stakeholders to ensure the advocacy and attainment of better health standards? How can such collaborative mechanisms expedite the efforts of the organization?
A. For the past year, Medtech Life has been promoting blood pressure awareness among all people. We experience significant levels of stress every day; therefore, it's critical to monitor hypertension because it can eventually cause more serious issues. Also, we ran blood pressure-checking initiatives in more than 20 Mumbai police stations. As stated in our tagline, "Caring for Life," we care about our customers and other people. For the betterment of society as a whole, we surely hope and wish to conduct more such campaigns and make a difference.
Q. What other corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives has Medtech Life undertaken to make a positive impact on society and support the well-being of individuals? Can you provide a case study of one of the initiatives and explain how it impacts and changes the lives of the people in the community?
A. A year-long awareness campaign about blood pressure has been run by Medtech. Our field force set up booths where individuals could check their blood pressure and be educated about the value of regular monitoring. Users have become more aware of their numbers as a result of personal experience with their blood pressure. We frequently neglect the significance of routine blood pressure checks, but we want to alter that. People became aware of the significance of hypertension and blood pressure monitoring because of this campaign. Because life is the most essential thing you'll ever have, and we hope to initiate more such campaigns in the future for the betterment of individuals and society as a whole.
Q. What initiatives has Medtech Life undertaken to ensure the availability and affordability of its healthcare products in rural areas of India, especially among economically disadvantaged communities? Can you provide an example of such an initiative undertaken?
A. Since our products are also manufactured in India, Medtech Life wholeheartedly supports the ‘Make in India’ initiative. We have a production facility in Vapi, and we always ensure that every order placed is fulfilled on time. Imported Nebulizers used to cost over 4000 rupees twenty years ago, and with our entrance in this field, we brought down the prices to just 1000 today! We were the first ones to manufacture nebulizers on a large scale. The significant price reduction has helped more people get access to good quality treatment. Our vertically integrated and locally sourced raw materials have made the supply chain robust and resilient making our manufacturing efficient and higher in quality.
Q. How does Medtech Life address the vulnerability of frontline workers, and what specific measures or initiatives is the company taking to aid and support to these essential workers?
A. Although the pandemic caused many difficulties for all of us, the frontline workers and the impacted COVID patients suffered the most. Since there was a severe lack of oxygen facilities, we decided to help those who were in need by making an oxygen van out of our oxygen concentrators and parking it outside of hospitals. Also, we monitored the blood pressure of more than 1,000 police personnel. We sincerely want to reciprocate the support that our people have shown us throughout the years. We also have been running health camps and partnering with local bodies for donation camps to give back to the society.
Q. How does Medtech Life plan to integrate sustainability and social responsibility into its future plans while adapting and evolving to meet the changing needs and demands of the healthcare industry, ultimately aiming to make a positive impact on society?
A. 20 years ago, all nebulizers in the country used to be imported and were priced at 4000 rupees. Our introduction of Made in India Nebulizers helped drastically reduce the prices which increased the product acceptance to a wider scale. We envision to manufacture more of such critical products in India which will make them more accessible and more affordable to the people. This will help better the lives of the people. Our company also keeps a big focus on sustainability. All our production facilities are zero discharge certified, hence producing no liquid waste. This is because of the on-site water treatment plant on the premises. We are also going to invest in solar power in the near future to reduce dependence on the generic sources of power.
