Shortage of trained doctors in India is a major concern for the medical device industry as they play a pivotal role in the use of advanced medical devices, said R Suresh, country director, Cook India Medical Devices, a subsidiary of US-based Cook Medical.

Stressing the urgent need to increase the number of skilled doctors in the country, Suresh said that one of the major impediments that hinder the growth of medical device industry in India is the shortage of well trained doctors who can handle advanced medical devices.

Suresh pointed out that ironically in India even though there is an increasing demand for advanced medical devices, there are very few doctors who are trained properly to handle it. “The use and effectiveness of any medical device depend upon how it is being used. Lack of knowledge about the new devices and certain medical practice settings are some of the major problems that need to be addressed.”

Cook India, a subsidiary of US-based Cook Medical which recently opened three new offices and warehousing facilities in Mumbai, has been taking special initiative in training doctors. According to Barry Thomas, vice president, Cook Medical, Asia Pacific, “We have plans to initiate programme specifically designed for the Indian doctors on how to handle and use the devices they use for surgeries. Our aim is to not only make the products available when and where it is needed but also to ensure that it is used properly.”

Thomas informed that the company is soon going to undertake initiatives that will specifically focus on expanding the education of the surgical team by providing effective training of the physicians, nurses, midwives etc.

Under the company's initiative, five doctors from across the country were trained to handle the lead management technique by a US based doctor. This particular technique plays a vital role in healthcare since it aids in the removal of lumenless cardiac leads or those that contain cable conductor wires, such as ICD leads.

Post training, nearly 15 surgeries have been conducted till now using this technique in Delhi, Chennai Mumbai, Ahemdabad, Hyderabad etc. Suresh stressed that it is the doctors who actually use the devices, so it is imperative that they have the necessary skill to handle it.