Creating a Vision: The Path to Establishing a Medical Incubator in a Public Hospital in Uttar Pradesh

Innovation is key to progress, and healthcare stands as one of the most vital sectors in need of continuous advancement. From the introduction of anesthesia in dentistry to the development of cutting-edge medical imaging, technological breakthroughs have reshaped patient care and treatment. However, the process of nurturing such innovation, particularly in public healthcare, often goes unnoticed. Over the past two years, I have been working to create the first public hospital-based medical incubator in Uttar Pradesh at the Government Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS), Greater Noida. This incubator is set to revolutionize healthcare by combining clinical expertise with technological innovation, offering opportunities for trials, validation, and more.

The Vision: Connecting Healthcare and Innovation

Central to this initiative is the belief that public hospitals should play a significant role in advancing medical innovation. While much of healthcare innovation has historically come from the private sector, public hospitals have a distinct advantage—access to a broad and diverse patient population, along with the expertise of numerous medical professionals. At GIMS, our incubator connects over 200 clinicians and resident doctors, making it a hub of clinical knowledge ready to partner with startups and innovators.

This incubator is more than a place for testing new technologies; it’s a collaborative environment where healthcare providers and innovators work together to create solutions for real-world healthcare challenges. By integrating innovation with healthcare delivery, we ensure that new solutions are practically tested and focused on improving patient care, not just theoretical advancements.

The Challenges: Building Trust and Changing Perceptions

The path to this goal has been challenging. Over the past two years, I’ve presented this incubator concept to a wide range of stakeholders, including institutional incubators, government agencies, investors, and medical professionals. The difficulties are complex. Convincing traditional investors that a public hospital can drive transformative innovation requires more than a compelling pitch—it demands a fundamental change in mindset.

Public institutions are often seen as slow-moving and bogged down by bureaucracy, especially in India. There's a prevalent belief that public hospitals lack the agility necessary for innovation. My task has been to dispel these misconceptions and highlight the untapped potential within public healthcare, where hundreds of clinicians interact daily with a diverse patient base, solving complex medical issues.

Another hurdle has been earning trust from both sides. Startups and innovators sometimes view public healthcare as resistant to adopting new technologies, while healthcare professionals may be hesitant about innovations that haven’t undergone thorough clinical validation. My role has been to bridge this gap, building a space where both innovators and healthcare providers can collaborate and find mutual benefit.