Enhancing Research Infrastructure

The Department of Health Research (DHR) in synergy with ICMR has set up 145 Viral Research & Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDLs) across India to tackle viral infections and improve medical research capacity.

In 2018-19, these labs investigated 323 outbreaks (about 6000 samples) and tested around 3.5 lakh samples for regular diagnosis, reducing the turnaround time.

ICMR has established a total of 97 Multidisciplinary Research Units (MRUs) in medical colleges across India to promote quality medical research and provide assistance in setting up research facilities.

These units play a crucial role in strengthening the research environment in medical colleges and fostering the development of next-generation health researchers.

ICMR has supported DHR in establishing 30 Model Rural Health Research Units (MRHRUs) across India.

These units aim to promote health research at the grassroots level and facilitate the translation of technological advances from the lab to the field.

MRHRUs will empower the younger generation to conduct high-quality research on issues impacting the rural population.

Under the Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), ICMR will set up 4 Zonal National Institutes of Virology (NIVs) across the country to strengthen biosecurity preparedness and pandemic research.

ICMR developed a mobile BSL3 lab capable of standalone operations to operate in remote areas of the country.

ICMR established a state-of-the-art infrastructural facility, called the National Animal Resource Facility for Biomedical Research Hyderabad, to facilitate pre-clinical animal experimentation under one roof.

ICMR set up the NIIH-Centre for Research, Management and Control of Haemoglobinopathies in Chandrapur to cater to the needs of the entire Vidarbha region, especially in the area of sickle cell anaemia. There are around 4,00,000 Sickle cell disease patients in this region along with approximately 40,00,000 sickle cell carriers.

ICMR established The Regional Medical Research Centre in Gorakhpur to address regional health issues in the Eastern UP belt.

ICMR is establishing the National Institute for One Health in Nagpur to address the issue of zoonosis and anti-microbial resistance through inter-sectoral collaboration. The foundation stone has been laid.

ICMR established the AIIMS Computational Genomics Centre to provide collaborative services. The Centre is conducting 31 ongoing data analyses.