When did Allengers enter the Indian market and with which products?
| R K Narang |
Allengers, an independent and highly specialised medical device manufacturer, is not only focussed on developing need of the hour medical equipment but is also focussed on providing value for money equipment. As a think tank, the company processes technical knowledge into new medical products and solutions for users and patients. Today, by virtue of its in-house R&D and QC setups it covers a broad spectrum of diagnostic range of medical equipment. This includes a wide range of X-ray machines (HF/ LF), C-arms (HF/ LF), DR systems (mobile/ fixed), cathlabs (mobile/ fixed), mammography (digital/ non-digital), DSA systems, remote controlled RF table, lithotripter, OPG, monitors, EEG, EMG, ECG, TMT, PACS and HMS.
What is your opinion about the Indian radiology market?
As far as the Indian radiology market is concerned, it is a capital-hungry and labour-intensive market. So in this era of healthcare reforms and budget restrictions, long-term planning is required to manage it. In this regard, a growing proportion of radiologists’ existing workload will be performed by IT systems, technologists, and tele-radiologists. Radiology services will be provided by referring physicians and radiologists. The demand for diagnostic and image interpretation services in radiology is growing rapidly all over the world due to digital technology and especially due to tele-radiology. The pace of growth of the Indian radiology market is very good and the Tier I and metro cities are increasingly becoming hot spots for the radiology market.
Currently how has Allengers been faring in the Indian market?
All our product developments consistently take into account the criteria laid down by CE and AERB and we have recently applied for FDA authorisations as well. In the near future we would further make inroads in the US market as well. As per our customers, Allengers has emerged as a fine world class company and a major force to reckon with.
With the passage of time, we are increasing our footprints as we enjoy the market share of around 35 per cent in the Indian market and have a CAGR of 27 per cent per annum in the last five years. Also, Allengers is the only Indian company that exports to 70 countries in the continents of Africa, Asia, South America, Europe, Middle East Countries and Commonwealth Independent States (CIS). And as we have applied for FDA, we would make a strong foothold to enter the US market in a big way and this will help us to stand at an equal platform with other major multinationals.
What is your opinion about the radiology sector within the Tier-II and III cities of India?
The Indian healthcare infrastructure is grossly underdeveloped especially in the Tier II and Tier III cities of India. In simpler terms, these comprise of cities that are just beginning to wake up and take form. The ratio proportion of facilities versus patients seeking medical advice and diagnosis is highly imbalanced in these regions.
But a transition has started happening now as the healthcare facilities have started making inroads across the length and breadth of the country which is definitely a very positive trend. For facilitating growth of Tier II and Tier III cities, state and local governments should further provide facilities to attract companies which would transform these cities into business havens and thus make them India’s fastest growing cities in a matter of a few years.
What market opportunities and trends do you witness in the Tier II and III radiology markets in India?
As more and more companies are investing into these cities, the per capita income, lifestyle and infrastructure (healthcare and residential) are developing in a healthy way and thus is a welcoming change. As far as Allengers is concerned we are developing key referral centres and key opinion leaders as ambassadors which will give us a strong foothold while entering Tier II and Tier III cities.
Tell us about your association with IRIA 2013?
IRIA’s annual conference is now established as the key meeting platform for those involved in medical imaging professions. The conference provides an excellent opportunity to network with others with similar interests, to hear and discuss the views of acknowledged experts, to take part in trade conferences, workshops and courses and to present ones own work through a short communication or poster.
Allengers’ association with IRIA has always been very encouraging and educative with mutual interest for both the radiological fraternity and the trade. All the efforts and hard work, which is being put in by the organising committee, to make this mega event of IRIA 2013 a successful one is highly appreciable.
What are the products that you are going to showcase at the event? Any launches during the event?
We’re constantly evolving our products to increase our competitiveness. Hence, during IRIA 2013 we are going to showcase digital mammography, C-Arm with integrated trolley (trolley less) apart from other products like the EEG, EMG, monitor, etc.
Considering the basic market requirement is to come up with more technological advanced products at affordable prices, bearing in mind that usability is going to be an important issue, and that the diagnostic equipment should be user friendly, we are launching a very unique model of Mobile DR the “RollX DR”.
This is a 15 KW/200mA unit, is light weight with sleek design and functions on standard 15 amperes wall socket. RollX DR can be configured with either WiFi or Wired detector and the system has full DICOM connectivity. The use of digital technology in diagnostic medical imaging is rapidly expanding. All medical facilities which aim to streamline work flow should only aim towards having a DR, in order to encounter the increased challenges in the future as images through a DR are and would be increasingly and quickly managed through PACS. Also DR definitely has an advantage over the CR due to its reliability to handle larger patient load by greater ease of use and elimination of cassettes.
What are your expectations from IRIA 2013?
As always IRIA has aimed at creating awareness of the latest equipment in the market, especially during their conferences nationwide.
These conferences are aimed at creating awareness on the advantages of deploying the latest equipment in improving comfort for patients and reducing time-to-recover. As a company which is in the manufacturing of medical imaging equipments, being a trade participant on the IRIA platform gives us more vision to bring out more imaging products and that too at affordable prices and we look forward to having a more mutually beneficial association.
What are your future plans for Allengers?
We are planning for the manufacturing of CT and MRI which are at present in the development stage. With our launch of RollX DR, a fully integrated cost effective mobile DR, Allengers has added another feather to its cap. Through this model the user can now further have access to procure a state-of-the-art mobile DR system at lower cost but with the facilities which truly would assist him now and in the future.
We have also opened our own office in Durban, South Africa to increase our market share in SADCC region. In the near future, we shall also develop medical equipment based on the most promising technological approaches.