A little-noticed gas is emerging as a new pressure point for India’s healthcare system. A tightening global supply of helium, linked to disruptions in West Asia, is beginning to strain MRI supply chains, pushing up costs and raising the risk of costlier scans and delays in diagnostics.

India relies heavily on imports from Qatar for helium, a non-renewable gas critical for cooling MRI magnets. With supplies tightening and logistics turning volatile, hospitals and imaging centres are bracing for pressure, even as inventories remain limited.

Qatar accounts for nearly a third of global helium output, making any disruption there significant for MRI services worldwide. Helium, a by-product of natural gas processing, closely follows LNG production trends, meaning supply disruptions are now rippling through global availability.

While the impact is not yet severe, early signs point to rising costs and potential instability in supply chains, especially as globalised medtech systems remain vulnerable to prolonged disruptions in West Asia.

The situation has accelerated a shift towards alternatives, with companies increasingly investing in helium-free MRI systems. Siemens Healthineers India has already introduced such technology using drycool systems to reduce dependency on helium and limit service disruptions.

Industry voices suggest that some companies remain insulated due to helium-free imaging technologies, even as prices reach around $80 per cubic metre in certain markets.

However, the broader fallout is spreading across the domestic medical devices industry. Manufacturers warn of possible shortages of essential hospital consumables—including IV bags, syringes, cannulas, and urine bags—within weeks, as inventories shrink to 15–20 days.

The pressure is further compounded by shortages of industrial gas used in boilers and rising energy costs, forcing companies to shift towards more expensive fuel alternatives.

Economic Times