The Healthcare sector is Kerala’s big priority, said Shri. P. Rajeev, Minister for Industries, Law and Coir, Government of Kerala, during his special address at Hospex 2023.
He also announced a program to establish Campus Industrial Parks in the State in consultation with the Higher Education Department. He highlighted that university-industry collaboration in medical and equipment research and biotechnology via campus industrial parks will strengthen students and industry alike.
Hospex 2023 was Kerala’s one-of-its-kind expo on medical equipment and hospital needs. Held on the 15th, 16th and 17th of Sep 2023 in Kalamassery, Kochi, the expo brought together medical industry members under one roof.
It saw active participation from policymakers, hospitals, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM), startups, suppliers, investors and other medical industry stakeholders.
Themed “Future of Healthcare: Digital, Devices, and Diagnostics” the expo shed light on the latest trends and developments in the healthcare industry. Furthermore, it showcased cutting-edge medical technologies and solutions from 100+ exhibitors, including medical device manufacturers in technology, AI, robotics, infrastructure, diagnostics and wearables.
From conferences, workshops and knowledge sessions to awards for excellence, startup pavilion and pitch sessions, the expo had everything that made attending it worthwhile.
If you couldn’t attend the expo, here’s an overview of what happened at the futuristic expo and why it is a valuable platform for Kerala’s healthcare industry.
A round-up of what happened at HOSPEX Healthcare Expo 2023
Conferences and workshops
Hospex 2023 brought together industry stalwarts to discuss the latest trends and new technologies shaping the future of the medical industry. Some insightful conferences and workshops that took place were:
- Session on Investment, Financing and Entrepreneurship Opportunities in Healthcare
- South India Healthcare Conclave for doctors: The future of the healthcare industry and its challenges, in collaboration with Medgate
- Purchase Managers Workshop on Biomedical Procurement Practices
- Smart Hospital Conference
- Ethical Digital Marketing Workshop for clinics, hospitals, startups and innovators
- Pyrexia – National Fever Conclave for doctors: An approach to fever management post Covid-19
- Airway Intubation Skill Development Workshop for Doctors by ISA Thrissur City Branch
Hospex Awards
Here are the innovative health tech startups and companies honoured with Awards for Excellence at Hospex 2023.
- Humblx, housekeeping management software for hospitals and large facilities, bagged the Best Startup – Jury Award
- Ease Dementia Technologies, a startup redefining dementia care, was honoured as the Best Startup for Social Cause.
- Plasti Surge Industries (PSI), pioneers of disposable surgical products manufacturing, was awarded the Best Manufacturer Award
- Medtra Innovative Technologies, a healthtech manufacturer in the AR-VR space, grabbed the Manufacturing Award in the Technology Category
- Dr Minudath K B was honoured with the Women Entrepreneur Award
- The Budding Innovator Award was conferred to Udayshankar R
- Dr Kiron B Reddy received the Best Innovation Award in the Doctor’s category
Startup pavilion and pitch session
Hospex Startup Pitch Session was powered by the DERBI Foundation. It saw participation from cutting-edge startups in healthcare, patient health, hospital administration, diagnostics, IVDS, medical devices, finance and cybersecurity.
At the startup pavilion, emerging healthtech startups got the opportunity to network with industry stalwarts from Invest India, Dept of MSME, Kerala Start-up Mission, Kerala Medical Technology Consortium (KMTC), Indian Medical Association, Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists, Association of Medical Devices Industry, Association of Diagnostics Manufacturers of India, Nasscom, IIT Kanpur, Derbi Foundation, QAI, AMTZ, Voice of healthcare, Medgate and several other incubation centres.
Exhibition
Hospex 2023 hosted 100+ exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge medical devices and equipment, from state-of-the-art imaging technology to advanced surgical instruments.
The expo connected hospitals with OEMs, enabling effortless and low-cost procurement and industry networking opportunities.
Knowledge sessions
Hospex also facilitated medical knowledge dissemination through knowledge sessions from industry leaders, including:
- Shri. P. Rajeev, Minister for Industries, Law and Coir in the Government of Kerala
- Shri Hibi Eden, Member of Lok Sabha, Indian National Congress
- Shri C. Padmakumar, Special Officer, Kerala Medical Technology Consortium, and Director, Kerala Life Sciences Industries Park.
- Shri Joseph Benaven from the Indian Medical Association
- Shri Dr Anvar M Ali of the Kerala Private Hospitals Association
- Shri Nishant Chabbra from Invest India
- Shri Rahul Shah of the Kerala Startup Mission
- Shri Prashanth Vinjamuri from the Bureau of Indian Standards, Delhi
- Shri Ajai Basil from the CDSCO
- Dr V Kalaiselvan of Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission
More about the Hospex
Hospex 2023 was the second edition of the Hospex healthcare expo, Kerala’s only expo on medical technology and innovation. Organised by Trithvam Integris in partnership with medical associations, incubation centres and the Department of MSME, the event focuses on the future of Kerala’s medical industry.
The first edition of Hospex was held in September 2022.
What is the aim of this expo?
The expo aims to connect Kerala’s medical industry stakeholders and build a thriving healthcare ecosystem. It showcases technological advancements and innovations in surgical and diagnostic products for the entire medical fraternity.
What’s the impact of Hospex on Kerala’s healthcare industry?
Hospex has a significant impact on Kerala’s healthcare industry in several ways:
- It brings together leading medical companies under one roof to showcase the industry’s latest trends and technologies.
- It fosters innovation and collaboration by connecting healthcare professionals, industry experts, policymakers and investors.
- It attracts investments in Kerala’s healthcare sector to support and develop the state’s healthcare infrastructure.
- It promotes Kerala as a healthcare destination, attracting patients from the country. For instance, in 2022, over 10,000 patients visited Kerala for treatment.
- It develops the state’s healthcare education. For instance, at Hospex 2023, Minister Rajeev announced a program to establish Campus Industrial Parks in the State in consultation with the Higher Education Department.
Conclusion
Local/state-focused healthcare expos like Hospex can bring together local manufacturers, suppliers, hospitals and consumers, building an ecosystem and helping one nurture the other. It also brings opportunities for startups and small companies to present their products, services and technology to bigger players, build partnerships and attract investments, enabling their growth.
While several states have started focusing on building their healthcare ecosystem, we applaud Hospex organisers for bringing such an insightful event to Kerala.
While Hospex is still a young event, it’s enabling innovation and growth in Kerala’s healthcare industry. As the event continues to evolve, it will have a greater impact in the years to come.
