During the height of India’s COVID-19 crisis in 2021, Innovation Centre Denmark Bangalore collaborated with the Novo Nordisk Foundation and the Indian government to create a rapid-response healthcare model. Based on a DKK 10 million emergency grant, the project enabled the state-backed incubator C-CAMP to manufacture and deploy high-quality modular hospital units.
The concept centered on high-quality, container-based hospital wings equipped with oxygen-supported beds and ventilators. These units were designed to be manufactured in weeks and transported to remote areas with weak infrastructure, such as Nagaland and Assam. The project successfully delivered seven hospital extensions, ranging from 16 to 100 beds, utilizing diverse materials - including sustainable panels made from pressed straw.
This initiative served as a pilot for private-public collaboration, bridging the gap between central authorities, state governments, and private innovators. To preserve these insights, ICDK and Invest India developed a "Playbook" in 2022 to ensure that this model for frontline innovation can be replicated quickly in future crises.
One India, One Health
As Prime Minister Modi’s "One India, One Health" vision drives massive investments into rural healthcare infrastructure, there is a growing opportunity for Danish partners. These modular hubs not only provide immediate capacity but also serve as testing grounds for new health technologies, offering a unique platform for Danish-Indian research and commercial collaboration.
