The global innovation index (GII) explains the progresses of Iran in the field of domestic production of laboratory and medical engineering equipment and assesses the implementation of support policies, such as the law to support knowledge-based companies.

According to the public relations and information center of the Vice-Presidency for science and technology affairs, the latest GII 2019 has assessed the status of the world and some selected countries in terms of health innovation. In the 16^th chapter, the report briefly evaluates the status of Iran in the area of medical innovations. A part of the chapter is related to the achievements of the country in the field of localization and production of medical equipment:

The report regards the law to support knowledge-based companies as one of the effective measures taken to develop the production of laboratory and medical engineering and health equipment: with the support of more than 1100 knowledge-based companies in the field of health and allocating 85 million dollars to support 474 medical innovation projects through Iranian national science fund, the law for support of knowledge-based companies has played an important role in development of medical innovation in Iran.

Support of Producers of Domestic Medical Equipment and Necessity of Protection of Domestic Market of Knowledge-based Products

In the chapter related to Iran, GII points out the effective role of growth and innovation centers in health area, asserting: the medical devices development center of Tehran University of Medical Sciences has done a great job in supporting the development of advanced medical equipment in the last two decades.

According to the report, the knowledge-based company of Sina Robotics and Medicine Innovators has produced Sina Surgery Robot which has medical advantages, compared to its foreign counterparts, and has drawn the attention of foreign customers for joint production. This product is an example of domestically produced equipment with the government policy of pre-purchase (guaranteed purchase).

It is notable that during the latest travel of the vice president for science and technology affairs to Russia, an agreement was signed on joint production of Sina Surgery Robot in Russia as SKD.

The report also expresses that the knowledge-based company of Sepahan San’at Behyar has brought Iran to the list of 10 countries with the linear accelerator technology through producing a wide range of advanced and high-quality products in the field of radiology and radiography. The company has been able to produce the first domestic accelerator (a very popular device for radiation therapy and cancer treatment).

Precautions for Continuing of Positive Activities for Development of Health Innovation Ecosystem in Iran

The GII 2019 has provided solutions to continue the process of development of the innovation ecosystem in health field of Iran.

According to the report, the process has been intensified in Iran in the last few years through more serious follow-up of facilities related to production, testing and standards, which requires more support and acceleration by the government.

It has been reported that the government must trust domestic agencies in the field of medical innovations and it is believed that the process must be maintained and development similar to the past.

It is notable that GII is published annually to assess countries in specific fields. In 2019, GII focuses on health and has dedicated a separate chapter to Iran in this field for the first time.