SVPISTM organises training programme on meditex

The Department of Handlooms and Textiles, Government of Tamil Nadu and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International School of Textiles and Management (SVPISTM) jointly organised a series of workshops for the establishment of technical textiles activity. The workshops include three phases where the first phase is on the various segments of technical textiles, product development, manufacturing process and market. The second and third phase comprises of planning and execution of business plan in technical textile sectors respectively.

The existing and budding textile entrepreneurs in and around Tamil Nadu were the target audience. The establishment of Technical Textile Wing was held at Sardar Vallabhai Patel International School of Textiles & Management (SVPITM), Avinashi road, Coimbatore on March 10, 2018.

A sectorial programme on medical textiles was scheduled during April 5-8, 2018. Around 80 participants from various districts in Tamil Nadu took part in the programme. Inauguration was done by Dr KG Bakthavathsalam, Chairman – KG Hospital, Coimbatore and Dr Prakash Vasudevan, Director – The South India Textile Research Association (SITRA), Coimbatore.

Bakthavathsalam emphasised on need for medical textiles in India because the product market in India is flourishing due to the population density. He also stated that the participants should focus on cost effective and innovative product without compromise in quality.

Dr Vasudevan felicitated the gathering and stated that new entrepreneurs can start their business in medical textiles by implementing the standards and the resources available in SITRA. He added that the Government has sanctioned Rs 24 crore for establishment of COE in medical textiles in the past years.

The participants underwent both theoretical and practical training in the medical textiles sector which also included industrial visits. Sessions on products, technology,  manufacturing process, machines, standards, market demand and marketing strategy were part of the workshop.

The first day of the programme was reserved for various expert lectures from medical textile domain: SureshRam, CoE – Medical Textiles, SITRA, shared his views on the technology, machinery and standards in medical textiles. He emphasized on the need for testing and the standards for each medical textile product.

Rajagopal, Head, Indian Statistical Institute, delivered a case study on new innovation in medical textiles and commercialisation – wound dressing.

Jayanathan, Manager-Central Sterile Supply Department, KMCH, illustrated on market demand and marketing strategy for meditech products and deliberated on textile materials used in waste management of health centres.
Soundararajan, Amarnaathh Enterprises, elaborated on pillow making machines, cotton recycling plant and absorbent surgical materials.

The second day of the programme was reserved for field visits. The participants visited two industries namely, COE medical textiles, SITRA and Splendor Medicare Technologies, Coimbatore.

The participants were taken to SITRA in the forenoon session were they were elaborated on the various machineries for manufacturing face masks, sanitary napkins and wipes. The participants were also informed that they can hire such machines for developing their own innovative products from SITRA for test marketing their produce.

Later in the afternoon the participants were taken to Splendour Medicare Technologies. Splendour Medicare Technologies is a company which was established by a group of textile experts and doctors. The entire manufacturing line for customised surgical products was displayed to the participants. Splendour Medicare Technologies is an expert in manufacturing of various isolation drapes (for customised application).

The third day of the programme was earmarked for the participants to do a self-analysis of the medical textile sector. The analysis was initiated by providing them with a survey questionnaire which had to be filled by a doctor or a hospital administrator.

The survey questionnaire was to encourage the participants to discover the scope of certain medical textile products so that they can focus on developing something new. This would also lead to a participant doctor discussion which could lead to a doctor sharing his needs to the participant. By identifying what a doctor, who is the end user, need the participant can think of manufacturing an innovative product. The participant was to fill the survey by interviewing a doctor, who owns a personal clinic, or a hospital administrator, who is involved in management of a multi-specialty hospital.

The fourth and final day happened to be the day when there was interaction over the questionnaire.
There were sessions on: various stages in new product development, brainstorming of ideas related to medical textile products, SWOT analysis for the medical textile sector, discussion on IP rights and new business startups.