India's first indigenously developed Next Generation Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner unveiled in New Delhi

Tags: Science and Technology

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh launched India's first indigenously developed, cost-effective, lightweight, ultrafast, high-field (1.5 Tesla) next generation Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner in New Delhi.

An Overview of the News

• VoxelGrids Innovations Pvt Ltd developed the MRI scanner under the National Biopharma Mission of the Department of Biotechnology.

• The development of the world-class MRI scanner required a total investment of Rs 17 crore, of which Rs 12 crore was provided by the Department of Biotechnology through BIRAC.

• The introduction of indigenous MRI scanners will make MRI scanning more accessible and affordable to the masses, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Atmanirbharta in cutting-edge diagnostic and therapeutic manufacturing in India.

• MRI scanners are important diagnostic methods, but 70% of the world's population does not have access to them. The prohibitively high capital cost has been a challenge, especially in developing countries like India.

• Currently, the installed base of MRI scanners in India is 3 times less than that of CT scanners, mainly because of the high cost of MRI machines and import dependence.

• The annual demand for MRI machines is expected to more than double by 2030 with initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat aimed at improving healthcare access and inclusion.