analysis by the Department of Science and Technology and ICMR has shown that citation impact – one of the measures for assessing the influence of research – is at par with the global average for the field .
The Indian healthcare system is yet to bridge the huge rural urban divide . What role has ICMR been playing to reach out to the marginal populations of the country ?
ICMR ’ s role is to conduct and promote research to find new tools , technologies and strategies to address high-priority health concerns for the country – both in rural and urban areas . Until the recent past , marginalized communities – both in rural and urban sectors – were observed to have a disproportionately high incidence of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis , malaria and leprosy . However , trends have been shifting and there is an increased incidence of non-communicable diseases such as cancer , diabetes and heart disease across all sections of the population .
ICMR has successfully developed technologies that have impacted policy in managing infectious diseases such as tuberculosis , malaria and leprosy . In addition to disease surveillance through our highly specialized network , we have conducted national taskforce studies for diseases of concern such as diabetes , stroke and nutritional deficiencies .
We are increasingly focusing on implementation research , and have signed numerous MoUs with national disease control programmes to influence new policies and study the impact of existing health programmes .
You have recently completed one year as ICMR DG . How do you look back at the various activities of utmost importance during this tenure so far ?
During the last year , ICMR has established the Evidence to Policy Unit and Health Technology Assistance Board in order to accelerate policy and programmatic adoption on new strategies and interventions that have demonstrated success in research settings . Additionally , ICMR is preparing a new vision and strategy document to guide its work over the next five years .
ICMR has also closely worked with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to facilitate the introduction of a new leprosy vaccine for elimination
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ICMR has successfully developed technologies that have impacted policy in managing infectious diseases such as tuberculosis , malaria and leprosy . In addition to disease surveillance through our highly specialized network , we have conducted national taskforce studies for diseases of concern such as diabetes , stroke and nutritional deficiencies .
of the disease . A similar effort was carried out for the rotavirus vaccine , and introduction of new drugs for tuberculosis treatment . We are conducting the first National Tuberculosis Prevalence Survey in the country since 1956 .
Another important development has been the establishment of new partnerships with international development agencies as well as industry leaders , such as our collaboration with Sun Pharma towards eliminating malaria in Mandla district in Madhya Pradesh .
What would be key priority areas both immediate as well as long term as far as medical research in India is concerned ?
ICMR is working to develop a comprehensive National Health and Nutrition Survey to assess the health status and priorities in the country . Nutritional policy and advocacy are going to remain major focus areas of medical research moving into the future . We will especially be focusing on research to develop new preventive and therapeutic strategies for diseases of concern such as malaria , Kala Azar , leprosy and others . We will also gear up efforts in developing innovative tools and technologies to combat drug resistant tuberculosis .
Another important avenue for ICMR will be cost-effectiveness and impact analysis of different health interventions .
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