New Delhi, Feb 11 (KNN) Focusing on making healthcare more affordable and tap the potential of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the medical sector, IIT Kharagpur (IIT-KGP) will set up a research and technology development hub.

The Common Research and Technology Development Hub (CRTDH) is supported by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), and will come up at the IIT-KGP campus.

“Another key area of focus will be supporting growth and development of precision manufacturing of innovative technologies through MSMEs, so that India can reduce its massive burden of imported healthcare technologies,” Visiting Professor, School of Medical Science and Technology, IIT-KGP, Satadal Saha said while announcing the CRTDH project in Kolkata.

Over 45% of rural jobs are created within the MSME sector and with the presence of five million MSMEs in West Bengal alone, the hub will “unleash” their potential in West Bengal and beyond, he said.

With the development of healthcare technologies, manufacturing growth will be fostered, creating more jobs in the suburbs, Saha said.

“We will endeavor to build capacity within the MSMEs to enable it to manufacture high-quality products that can compete in the global market,”Associate Dean, Sponsored Research and Industrial Consultancy, IIT-KGP, Suman Chakraborty said. (KNN Bureau)