Empowering the Sialkot Surgical Industry: The Pivotal Role of MIDC in Technical Education and Local Industries

History of Sialkot Surgical Industry in Pakistan

The Sialkot surgical industry in Pakistan evolved at the end of the 19th century when the American Mission Hospital in Sialkot got some of its instruments, including scalpels, repaired by blacksmiths in the local artisan community. These qualified craftsmen successfully developed replica versions of those imported tools that the hospital was using. 

Export of surgical instruments in Pakistan started to foreign countries in the 1930s from Sialkot. The British government established the Metal Industries Development Centre (MIDC) in 1941 after World War II to provide common facilities to manufacturers and institutionalise the local expertise in surgical instrument manufacturing. There were around 17 inherited surgical instrument manufacturers in Sialkot, Pakistan, after independence in 1947. MIDC managers and workers had a pivotal role in promoting the surgical industry, which was soon recognised internationally. Modern machinery came here in 1980-83 thanks to Germany’s help. Later, G/o Punjab (1984-85) and Dutch aid (1987-88) strengthened it further and made it a more functional unit. 

Importance of Sialkot worldwide

Sialkot, a city in the Punjab province of Pakistan, is known for several reasons that contribute to its fame nationally and internationally. The main reasons are the Sports Goods Industry and the manufacturing Hub for various products, including surgical instruments Sialkot , leather goods, textiles, and musical instruments. Sialkot is Pakistan’s second-largest source of foreign exchange earnings because of its exports and remittances from the overseas workforce.

Revamping of MIDC Sialkot

The MIDC was under TEVTA’s direct control. MIDC revamping started in 2010- 11 and was completed in 2013-14. TEVTA established a building for training advanced skills in surgical workers to provide a skilled labour workforce for the Sialkot surgical industry.

Since January 2013, Engr Khurram Shahzad Awan has been working as the Project Director for the Metal Industries Development Center in Sialkot, Pakistan. The Total Project value is PKR 558 Million. He is  responsible for the execution and management/ administration of the project.

Services provided by MIDC Sialkot

MIDC has rendered services of more than Rs. 45 million since revamping 2013 surgical industries. After revamping presently, MIDC Sialkot is offering standard facility services in the field of Vertical Machining Centre, CNC Wire Cut, Grinding, Laser Marking, Laser Welding, Argon and Spot Welding, Vacuum and Conveyer Belt Heat Treatment and Gas Fired tempering,

MIDC Sialkot also provides advisory services in the fields of Management, Quality Control, Material Testing and Inspection, Heat treatment, Engineering Design, Small and Medium Entrepreneurship, and Career development; It’s more than 2500 trainees have been passed out from MIDC and IST Sialkot after getting successful training in the field of Certificate in Computer Applications (CCA), CNC Machinist and Auto CAD (2D & 3D) while a new batch of students is under training in the field of CNC Machinist and Auto CAD (2D & 3D).

Training Provided by MIDC and IST

The Institute of Surgical Technology is offering free courses to its students, and after they complete their courses, they will play a vital role in promoting the local surgical industry.

The objective of MIDC and IST

MIDC  and the Institute of Surgical Technology (IST)  in Sialkot was to provide modern facilities, technology, and adversary services to business people and makers. The management and workers of MIDC played a pivotal role in promoting the surgical industry due to the recognition of the surgical industry in the international market. Through the successful functioning of MIDC, the local surgical industry is producing the most modern surgical equipment, and this centre offers services to the industry.

Institute of Surgical Technology successfully functioning and catering to the needs of the Sialkot surgical industry. 

To address the problems and challenges of the surgical industry, the revamping of the Metal Industries Development Centre and the establishment of the Institute of Surgical Technology, which is operating successfully by the Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA), were necessary.

Activities held to encourage students

After completing their training, students engage in various activities to apply their newly acquired skills in practical settings. These activities range from simulations and live projects to community service assignments, enabling them to showcase their competencies. As a form of recognition and motivation, students who excel are awarded certificates of achievement, trophies, or even scholarships, underscoring their hard work and dedication to their professional growth.

MIDC Sialkot’s role in export industry growth

The surgical instruments in Pakistan are the most economical in the world, coupled with the guarantee of the finest quality, while the manufacturers and exporters were making efforts to further improve the standard and quality of the instruments to cope with the international market. The Sialkot stainless steel surgical instrument cluster is one of Pakistan’s rare examples of consistent export success. The Pakistani surgical instruments are the most economical in the world, with an unconditional guarantee of the finest quality. The surgical manufacturers and exporters are making strenuous efforts to improve the standard and quality of the instruments further to cope with the international market.

There are 30 surgical units in this export-oriented city. These units are technically advanced, with extensive mechanisation in their production process, and they have diversified into medical mechanised devices.

Courses Offer

Export of surgical instruments in Pakistan

Pakistan’s export share in the global market is around $420.9 million ¹. Pakistan’s market share of surgical instruments has remained nearly static at 0.7% over the last ten years, suggesting a strong correlation of 0.96 with world demand.  The top destinations for surgical instruments in Pakistan are the USA, Germany and the UK, with the US taking the top spot and making up 27% of Pakistan’s exports as of 2021.

The global surgical equipment market was valued at $10.5 billion in 2016, with an estimated compound annual growth rate of 10.7% and an expected market size of $18.5 billion by 2025 The surgical instruments in Pakistan alone produces over 170 million surgical instruments annually and manufactures more than 10,000 different medical instruments.

MIDC’s role in the Sialkot surgical industry

The export of surgical instruments Sialkot remained low, at about 150 million yearly. The industry also manufactures disposable instruments, which constitute 60%of exports, and reusable instruments, which constitute 40% of exports.

The surgical industry represents manufacturers and exporters of surgical instruments, dental instruments, veterinary instruments, pedicure and manicure items, tailor scissors, barber scissors, and beauty salon instruments.

About 5,000 small and medium surgical units are functioning in and near Sialkot, with a labour force of 200,000 workers.

Conclusion

The Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA), under the directive of the Punjab government, has taken steps to address the problems being faced by surgical instrument manufacturers and modernise the surgical industry, enabling it to cope with the new challenges of the world market.

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