Chennai, Aug 3: A three-day exhibition showcasing hospital products from linen and surgical instruments to medical equipment began at the Rajah Muthiah hall here today.

Tamil Nadu Health Secretary V K Subburaj, inaugurated the expo conducted by Medicall, an organisation that hosts medical-related exhibitions in which nearly 180 exhibitors are taking part.

Chief Executive Officer Medicall Manivannan told sources that hospital infrastructure, including equipment to facilitate better healthcare, needed to be upgraded.

Besides domestic firms, three Chinese companies specialising in the manufacture of endoscopy products were participating in the expo, he said, adding the event would also feature healthcare software.

''We expect more than 4,000 hospital owners and doctors to visit the exhibition,'' he added.

''An exclusive seminar for bio-medical engineers and students is also being organised to facilitate production of more medical equipment in India itself.'' Apart from this, the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) will be displaying various garments used in the hospital industry at a fashion show,'' he added.

Explaining about the pageant, Dr Manivannan said 'the event showcases how a dress worn by a healthcare provider will be pleasing, anti-bacterial and more convenient in difficult situations.'' On the demand for medical equipment in the country, he said the present market in South India was around Rs 1,200 crore, compared to Rs 4,500 crore in the entire country.

With the booming insurance industry, there was tremendous pressure on health industry to set high standards and update their knowledge about equipment, he said and added ''currently, about 100 per cent of the high-end medical equipment and 60 per cent of other-related machineries were being imported from other countries.''

UNI