New Department for Health Research

[Guest guest]

The Government of India has established a seperate Department for

Health Research

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is primarily

responsible for medical research in India. During the last 97 years,

the ICMR has responded effectively to the changing health needs of

the country by developing infrastructure and has built capacities to

meet newer challenges in health research and healthcare industry of

global standards.

The current health scenario in the country calls for a much closer

interaction with health systems and disease control programmes

supported by the continued utilization of the scientific and

technological advances. The present structure of the ICMR does not

facilitate meeting of some of the challenges to its fullest

potentials. In order to build upon and effectively utilize the

research capacity and capabilities to engage in effective health

systems research, conduct research into social determinants of health

and develop technologies and products that respond to national health

priorities, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has now set up a

separate department of Health Research.

By setting up the new Department, the Ministry hopes to put research

on the fulcrum of the Common Minimum Programme by setting up a Health

Research System (HRS) as an overarching mechanism for co-ordination.

The Department would provide leadership and support in generation of

new knowledge, improve medical and health research in medical

colleges and medical schools and help in providing inputs for

operationalization of disease control programmes. It would address

the manpower and infrastructure needs for medical and health research

in India and assess the health technology and health sciences

developed in the country and take these up at various levels of

Government to translate the research results into policy and also

better articulate the policies of the Ministry of Health and Family

Welfare in furthering its programmes and policies.

The Health Research Department will be able to interact effectively

with the policy makers so that the health investment policies and

interventions are based on scientific input. lnter-agency

partnerships and co-ordination is expected to improve through better

interaction with Secretaries of Scientific Departments like the

Department of Science and Technology (DST), Department of

Biotechnology (DBT), Department of Scientific and Industrial

Research, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE),

Department of Space, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Ocean

Development and Department of Defence Research Development.

This would enable smoother transition of technologies and products

developed by other S & T agencies into the health sector and avoid

fragmentation and duplication of efforts. The Department would be

able to build stronger and effective partnerships especially those

bridging public and private initiatives and create structures such as

the Technology Development Board, and others for better public

private interaction for health technology implementation.

http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=31653