Mumbai, Oct 16: The best-known Indian in China is probably Dr Dwarkanath Kotnis, immortalised in V Shantaram’s 1946 classic Dr Kotnis ki Amar Kahani. Now over six decades after he treated thousands of Chinese during World War II, China is looking towards Indian medical expertise all over again. “A start has been made with the Shanghai health authorities agreeing to recognise Indian medical degrees for those wishing to practice there. A simple application process needs to be followed for this,” Confederation of Indian Industry’s (CII) deputy director general Dilip Chenoy told FE over telephone from Shanghai.
A business delegation from India is currently in China for the CII-organised ‘India Week China’ comprising a trade show, business meetings and cultural programmes. A China-India health summit took place on Wednesday as a part of this week’s programmes.
A host of incentives are being offered to encourage Indian healthcare organisations to invest in Shanghai. While the minimum investment required is $2.5 million (Rs 12 crore), up to 70 per cent foreign equity is allowed. “The Shanghai health authorities and the Escorts Heart Institute have also agreed to work on joint training and development programmes. Advanced cardiac surgeries being carried out at Escorts will be beamed via video-conferencing for Chinese doctors to observe and learn from. This could also help those seeking accreditation in India gain credits,” Mr Chenoy added.
Chinese doctors are also expected to visit India for learning and sharing knowledge about their systems of medicine.
During the summit, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital chairman Dr SK Sama made a presentation on gastroentrology and minimum invasive surgery. Apollo Hospitals group chief financial officer SK Venkataraman spoke about Indian healthcare industry and its changing face.
There was also a session on manufacturing where Indian and Chinese companies generally agreed on the need for greater partnerships in this sector, including design and development. “In auto components, Sundaram Fasteners is making investments in Shanghai while other Indian manufacturers too are actively in talks with Chinese companies to explore possibilities of alliances,” he said.
Led by Dr JJ Irani, with the active participation of senior managament of all leading Indian steel companies, the Indian Steel Alliance made presentations to Chinese manufacturers offering to sell them products including hot rolled, cold rolled and special steel. Other issues related to sale of steel to China will be taken up in the coming days.