Accelerating Health Innovation, Union Health Minister Shri JP Nadda announces successful implementation of 100 Days Initiatives by the Department of Health Research
Accelerating Health Innovation, Union Health Minister Shri JP Nadda announces successful implementation of 100 Days Initiatives by the Department of Health Research
In a significant milestone in realizing the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, Union Health Minister Shri J. P. Nadda announced the successful implementation of 100 Days Program of Union Health Ministry’s Department of Health Research (DHR). He said “these initiatives represent transformative steps in healthcare innovation, pandemic preparedness, and the development of indigenous medical solutions, contributing to a healthier, more resilient and Atmanirbhar Bharat.”
The following are some of the key achievements and initiatives undertaken by the Department of Health Research in the last 100 days:
The above initiatives are slated for launch in October 2024 by the Union Health Minister. Dr Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, DHR and DG, ICMR said the efforts and recent achievements demonstrate Government’s commitment to advancing healthcare through innovation and research. He exuded confidence that these steps will play critical role in transforming the nation’s healthcare system and making it future-challenge ready.
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- Med-Tech Mitra: It is a joint initiative by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). Over 250 innovators, start-ups, and industry partners have been engaged through this platform helping them overcome challenges in the process of developing regulation compliant products, their clinical validation, and scaling-up.
- National One Health Mission (NOHM) for Pandemic Preparedness: The NOHM is an integrated approach to tackling diseases at the intersection of human, animal, and environmental health. This mission is a crucial step toward building India’s capacity to manage zoonotic diseases and pandemics. This initiative is instrumental in India’s long-term health security by creating a safe and healthy environment for all. Different activities have been undertaken with the ‘one health’ approach under this mission in first 100 days of Government, that are enlisted below:
- National Network of BSL-3 Laboratories has been established wherein over 20 labs across different ministries have networked.
- Trainings were conducted in National Institute of Virology (NIV) Pune and ICAR-National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal.
- Strengthening the nation’s preparedness for future pandemics, a mock drill of H5N1 “Vishanu Yudh Abhyas” was successfully conducted with multiple stakeholders from 27th to 31st August in Ajmer District of Rajasthan.
- A national joint outbreak response team has been notified by Department of Health and Family Welfare (DoHFW). This will strengthen detection of the emerging hotspots of infections and conduct timely investigation for prevention and control.
- Waste water surveillance tools were developed by ICMR and a surveillance model is also built for slaughterhouses.
- Avian flu, Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) and MPox Vaccines development initiated with engagement of private sector and industry partners. NIPAH monoclonal antibodies are also under development.
- Executive and Scientific Steering Committees of the Mission held their meetings reviewing pandemic preparedness of the country and suggesting further course of action.
- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Department of Biotechnology (DBT) guidelines for establishment & certification of Bio-Safety Level (BSL-3) labs have been consolidated into one national document.