1 MedTech Manufacturing Consortium to Help Local Industry ...

platform, will contribute vastly to the future of Singapore,” highlighted Prof James Goh,President, Biomedical Engineering Society (Singapore).11. To date, 26 companies ranging from MNCs and local enterprises have signed up asmembers of the consortium (Annex 6 refers). Arising from the two roundtablediscussions involving 50 companies across the medical technology value chain andpartners from the healthcare and regulatory bodies, three main challenges hinderingthe local manufacturing industry from participating extensively in the medical technologyindustry are identified. Broadly, these are the lack of:i) business and market intelligenceii) skilled manpower knowledgeable in manufacturing technology and regulations andcertifications of medical devices and products; andiii) technology, know-how and R&D expertise12. A framework was developed to address common issues and consortium projectsidentified to help local enterprises tap into new markets and position new products andcapabilities for the global medical technology industry.13. The identified areas to enhance local capabilities involve medical device design anddevelopment, supply chain management and process technologies in the manufacturingof small medical technology components and devices such as contact lenses, scientificanalytical equipment, implantables, syringes, stents, cathethers, hearing aids andresearch instruments. The industry, SIMTech and WDA will spend S$ 10 million overthe next five years for technology and manpower development.14. The Precision Engineering Workforce Skills Qualifications (PE WSQ) GraduateDiploma in MedTech Manufacturing, developed by WDA in collaboration with SIMTech,complements the consortium to help upgrade the knowledge and skill sets of theexisting pool of engineers and managers in the local industry as well as facilitate theentry of new talents into the medical technology industry (Annex 3 refers).4