The OSTİM Medical Industry Cluster, recognized as a common ground for domestic medical device manufacturers, has launched a new project. The OSTİM Medical Industry Cluster Joint Showroom, created with the participation of 20 manufacturers and designed to host domestic and international guests and provide opportunities for product presentations, has opened its doors. The opening of this showroom, a first of its kind in Turkey, was attended by executives from leading global medical sector companies, as well as representatives from universities, public institutions, and organizations.
Spanning 250 square meters, the Shared Showroom will showcase products designed with cutting-edge technology by local manufacturers, exhibiting a wide range of products from fully equipped ambulance units and incubators to implants and burn treatment units.
Bora Yaşa, the Cluster Coordinator, gave the opening speech at the ceremony and thanked those who supported the project.
“Purchase guarantees improve our capabilities”
İlhan Şahin, Chairman of the Board of Directors of OSTİM Medical Industry Cluster, said, “Our aim is to increase the share of domestic products in healthcare materials to meet the country's needs. The main way to achieve this is by having our universities and technoparks design high value-added products. We aim to bring these products together with our industrialist colleagues to enable them to develop their own unique products.”
Stating that the showroom would contribute to both branding and recognition, as well as boost the self-confidence of the companies, Şahin requested a purchase guarantee from the Social Security Institution to help companies improve themselves. Şahin said: “It's not enough to just put out a tender. The institution that puts out the tender doesn't have a purchase guarantee. That's why companies can't produce. If you provide a purchase guarantee, we will improve our capabilities and skills. Of course, set your technical specifications. Let it be of higher quality than world standards. We are ready for that, but we cannot produce a product that you won't buy. If you provide a purchase guarantee, you will see that it will be easier for us to produce many of the products you will procure in our country.”
“We should use our own products”
OSTİM Board Chairman Orhan Aydın pointed out that the medical sector is a high value-added industry. He noted that despite being defined as a strategic area by the High Council for Science and Technology, this is not reflected in practice, and stated that we need to produce what our country needs through cooperation and collaboration.
Aydın stated, "We must use our own products. Our public institutions are showing us sufficient sensitivity. But I don't consider this sufficient, and I hope it will continue to increase. Our Ministry of Health has implemented a very good practice. It has implemented the domestic industry contribution practice in healthcare for the first time. We thank our Ministry."
“Import substitution measures should be implemented”
Metin Demir, President of the Turkish Health Industry Employers' Union (SEİS), began his speech by saying, "We are not concerned with selling to each other, but rather with calculating how we can bring in one more dollar from abroad. This place is a result of that."
Demir emphasized the need to carry out import substitution projects abroad as much as possible, and thanked the Ministry of Health for its contributions to offset programs and the development of domestic industry. The SEİS President stated, "We will ensure the development of the sector both in terms of reconstruction and publicly guaranteed sales. I believe that we can only achieve the 2023 targets if we all work together."
Prioritization is being considered for 5 medical devices
The President of the Turkish Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, Prof. Dr. Özkan Ünal, stated, “I am one of those who believe that offset applications should be given real importance. Regarding this, a clear start has not yet been made in the medical device sector. A start has been made with vaccines.” Ünal explained that the General Directorate of Health Investments has a plan to prioritize X-ray, mammography, fluoroscopy, ultrasound, and ventilators in the Industrial Cooperation Program (SIP) applications.
Özkan Ünal, stating that they also expect work from the sector, continued his remarks as follows: “So, which device should SIP start with? Perhaps, as an addition to the work of Health Investments, you can also have a suggestion. If you say, ‘It should start with this device,’ we, as SIP members, will take this prioritization into account in offset applications. In that respect, you also have responsibilities.”
“There is nothing our people cannot do.”
Ankara Chamber of Industry (ASO) President Nurettin Özdebir noted that the medical sector is one of the rapidly developing and growing important sectors in Ankara. President Özdebir stated that the sector is strategic for our country and region.
Citing the 51% domestic content requirement in the Ankara Metro tender as an example, Özdebir continued: "There is nothing our people cannot do if given the chance! Our people have an incredible ability to adapt their knowledge and adjust to new conditions. Our people can produce even the most complex equipment in the healthcare sector. If the Ministry of Health were to say, 'I want a 51% domestic content requirement for MRI machines!', those companies would find partners and come here to manufacture. This is a very beneficial endeavor. Let's expand this place even further. Let all our manufacturers showcase their products here."
"As a ministry, please pave the way for us in this matter. We can even create a device to take an MRI of a fly buzzing in the air. I request this from our Ministry of Health and the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA). We are helping and supporting many countries. We are opening health centers, hospitals. We are completing the deficiencies of hospitals that have already been opened. It's a wonderful thing. But please, let's use domestically produced goods. Many wonderful things are being done in our country. What you see here is just the tip of the iceberg."
In short, OSTIM Medical Industry Cluster
It was established in 2009 based on the findings of the "OSTİM Competitiveness Analysis," completed in 2007, which investigated the international competitiveness level of the sectors operating in OSTİM. Its purpose is to increase the share of domestic production in meeting the needs of the healthcare sector and to make medical industry SMEs competitive in the international market. Furthermore, it aims to reduce Turkey's 85% dependence on foreign countries to a minimum level.
The Medical Industry Cluster, started with the support of its stakeholders consisting of more than 25 sector representatives, universities, and institutions/organizations, and today continues its activities in line with its founding purpose with 91 member companies and 23 stakeholders.
The cluster's main areas of activity
Supporting the research and development activities of member companies.
Developing human resources.
Increasing and expanding communication and information sharing.
International promotion and marketing activities.
Developing projects based on needs and bringing relevant parties together.
Lobbying efforts.
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