Indian producers of medical technology have raised a serious alarm over the increasing number of Chinese medical devices in India's health system, warning that such products endanger national security, patient safety and data privacy. Their concerns have grown amid rising geopolitical tensions and the government's push to make India self-reliant in critical sectors such as health and technology.

Industry players and Indian producers stated that medical devices from Chinese vendors, especially in sensitive areas like diagnostic imaging, patient monitors, and implants, may bring cybersecurity threats. These devices often come with chips and software that can collect, store and transmit patient information. In the absence of proper oversight or transparency, this information could be accessed remotely, increasing the risk of surveillance and data leaks.

A senior official from a large Indian MedTech firm stated, “There is increasing concern that some imported devices may be utilised as digital backdoors into hospital IT networks, compromising patient confidentiality and institutional data integrity. In contrast to Indian manufacturers, several such foreign players are not forthcoming with software codes or firmware updates.”

Indian producers have appealed to the central government and regulatory authorities such as the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation to impose strict certification rules, quality checks and security standards for imported medical devices, especially those from China.

The Association of Indian Medical Device Industry, which includes more than 400 local companies, has called for an urgent investigation into how medical devices are being purchased by both public and private hospitals. The association is pushing for the following steps-Compulsory security testing of foreign medical devices; Supportive buying policies for domestic manufacturers; Funding for research and local production under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme; Clear labelling and traceable country of origin for all foreign devices

Rajiv Nath, AiMeD Forum Coordinator, remarked, “It's not economics anymore—it’s an issue of sovereignty, trust, and resilience. We can't afford to become reliant on systems that can have hidden faults.”

The government has taken cognisance of these concerns and is reportedly working on a policy paper to address cybersecurity threats related to foreign-made medical devices. Officials are considering whether cybersecurity checks should be made a part of the Quality Management System for medical devices and are also looking at ways to strengthen the Make in India push in this sector.

At the same time, major hospitals and medical institutions have begun reviewing their procurement methods to ensure that any device with possible software-based issues is either isolated or replaced with Indian made alternatives wherever possible.

With the healthcare system becoming more digital and advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud platforms, and the Internet of Things being used widely, protecting data and systems has become a national priority. Indian medical device makers are urging the creation of a system where innovation, safety and self-reliance can exist together.

In the coming months, the country is expected to see stricter regulations, increased cooperation between industry and government and a wider public debate on how to build a secure and reliable MedTech sector in India.