Guwahati: The IIT Guwahati on Friday hosted a landmark symposium aimed at advancing healthcare innovation in the Northeast.
The event brought together esteemed doctors and scientists to explore cutting-edge healthcare technologies, supporting the Make in India initiative.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
Organised by the Assam Advanced Healthcare Innovation Institute (AAHII), the symposium marks a pivotal moment in fostering indigenous healthcare solutions.
The event was inaugurated by Assam Chief Secretary Ravi Kota, who emphasised the government’s dedication to strengthening India’s healthcare ecosystem through advanced and self-reliant innovations.
Speaking at the event, Kota said the symposium is a unique and bold step for the state and the nation.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
“By bridging the gap between medical and engineering disciplines, IIT Guwahati and the Assam Government are pioneering a model that unites academia, government and healthcare professionals. This initiative leverages Assam’s resources and vision to address healthcare challenges and lay a foundation for indigenous innovation,” he said.
“The growth of institutions like IIT Guwahati and AIIMS is transformative, signaling a powerful partnership with the state government that will drive regional development and healthcare resilience,” he added.
To reduce import dependency in healthcare, IIT Guwahati and the Assam government are collaborating on a state-of-the-art AAHII campus.
This upcoming facility will feature a 400-bed super-specialty teaching hospital, advanced research labs and residential facilities, positioning Assam as a leader in indigenous medical technology.
Director of IIT Guwahati Prof Devendra Jalihal expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, underscoring the significance of early-stage involvement from healthcare professionals in research.
“We are thrilled to embark on a groundbreaking journey with AAHII at IIT Guwahati. By establishing a super-specialty hospital and advanced research facilities, we aim to reduce dependency on imports, lower diagnostic and treatment costs, and make quality healthcare more accessible,” he said.
Also Read: NorthEast United FC faces Bengaluru FC in ISL encounter today
“This project aligns with our vision for a self-reliant Make in India healthcare ecosystem that addresses the nation’s most pressing health challenges,” he added.
The symposium also included insights from executive director of AIIMS Guwahati Prof Ashok K. Puranik, who pledged support for the AAHII initiative and endorsed the vision of ‘Design in India, Design for the World.’
U.S.-based cardiologist Dr Naba Goswami also shared his perspective on rural healthcare challenges in India, advocating for stronger industry-academia partnerships.
Founded in 2022, the Assam Government IIT Guwahati Healthcare Foundation (AGIHF) – a section eight company managed jointly by IIT Guwahati and the Assam government – facilitates partnerships with industry stakeholders interested in advancing healthcare technologies.
The upcoming AAHII campus will house six centres of excellence dedicated to stem cell research, digital health, therapeutics, precision medicine, robotics and affordable diagnostics.
The super-specialty hospital on the AAHII campus is designed to address the healthcare needs of Assam and the Northeast, offering advanced treatments, including robotic surgery, transplant procedures, gene therapy, trauma care, neonatology, neurosurgery and complex cardiac care.
Prominent researchers of IIT Guwahati showcased their pioneering work, inspiring collaboration between scientists and clinicians in developing breakthrough healthcare solutions for India.
AAHII is a collaborative initiative by IIT Guwahati and the Assam government dedicated to building an ecosystem for indigenous healthcare technologies.
With state-of-the-art infrastructure and interdisciplinary collaboration, AAHII is committed to enhancing healthcare accessibility and quality in India, especially for the Northeast.