Ministry plans disciplinary units to boost health research

The Union Health Ministry plans to set up Disciplinary Research Units in Government medical colleges and research institutions  during the 12th Plan period, as a path-breaking initiative  to develop research infrastructure.

Sources in the Department of Health Research, which is to undertake the project, said that a one-time financial assistance up to Rs 5.25 crore will be provided to each  Government medical college/institution for setting up of modern biological lab and multi-disciplinary 

research unit. 

“The aim is to encourage and strengthen an environment of research in medical colleges besides bridging the gap in the infrastructure which is inhibiting health research in the medical colleges by assisting them to establish multidisciplinary research facilities with a view to improving the health research and health services,” the sources.

The scheme entails establishment of modern biological lab/ multi-disciplinary research facilities in 80 Government medical colleges for promoting medical research in the country,  in a phased manner with 35 in 2013-14 and 45 in 2014-15. During the Twelfth Five Year Plan period, DHR also proposes to establish 15 Model Rural Health Research Units (MRHRUs) across  the country in a  phased manner with  seven units to be established in 2013-14 and eight 2014-15 at a total estimated cost of 

Rs 67.67 crore.