Jalandhar surgical devices industry in bad shape; looks to govt for revival
JALANDHAR: The city-based surgical instruments industry, which exports locally manufactured devices to other states in India as well Europe and other parts of the world, is in the doldrums these days.
Most of these units, which can be bracketed as cottage industry, use traditional methods of manufacturing such as using cow dung for heating. The manufacturers say they would do much better if the local industry is given assistance by the government in the form of improving technology or forming clusters.
Surgical instruments include instruments for cutting and holding purposes like handheld surgical devices i.e., scalpels, forceps, retractors, scissors, surgical sutures and staples, electro surgical devices, devices for eye surgery, post-mortem and gynaecological purposes.
Surgical Sports and Surgical Complex Association chairman Surjit Singh Cheema said, “The industry here is not upgraded technologically as the government never gave us any financial or technical assistance. The local industry suffered a major setback in the wake of import of surgical instruments from China and Pakistan in large quantities without any check.”
In the 1980s, there were more than 150 units in the city and nearly 60 plots were allotted to these manufacturers at the Focal Point. By 2015, there are only 10-12 units which are functional at the sports and surgical complex.
Opinder Singh, deputy director, Engineering Export Promotion Council, Jalandhar, said, “It is a neglected industry even it exported devices worth ` 75 crore in 2014 -15 from Jalandhar city only.”