Union Health Minister Inaugurates New Facilities at ICMR-NIMR; Emphasizes Research and Innovation in Health Sector

In a significant stride towards bolstering India's health research ecosystem, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, inaugurated five cutting-edge facilities at the Indian Council of Medical Research - National Institute of Malaria Research (ICMR-NIMR) on December 14. The event marked a pivotal moment as the Union Health Minister underscored the government's commitment to research and innovate in the health sector.

The newly inaugurated facilities include a Test Research Laboratory, an Innovation Complex, a Conference Hall Complex, and a 300-seat Auditorium, reflecting the government's steadfast focus on fostering advancements in health research infrastructure. Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel and Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, Union Ministers of State for Health and Family Welfare, joined Dr. Mandaviya at the inauguration ceremony.

Jai Anusandhan is a very important principle in the endeavor towards making India self-reliant. The Union Health Minister highlighted the government's commitment to making India self-reliant in the health sector. He praised the vital role played by research and innovation during the pandemic, citing the swift development of vaccines and cost-effective production of essential medicines like Hydroxy-urea for rare diseases.

The facilities we are inaugurating on December 14 in the service of the country show that India is ready to keep pace with the world. Institutions like ICMR are becoming increasingly strong today and are gaining a distinct place, strengthening their work all over the world, according to Dr. Mandaviya.

Dr. Mandaviya acknowledged the century-long journey of ICMR and its pivotal role in shaping India's medical research landscape. He commended ICMR-NIMR for its pioneering efforts in malaria research and urged collective efforts to eliminate vector-borne diseases, including malaria, dengue, Japanese Encephalitis, chikungunya, and filariasis.

The Union Health Minister also highlighted the integration of technology in healthcare, emphasizing the role of Digital Health and Artificial Intelligence. He spoke of innovative uses of drones for vaccine and drug delivery, envisioning a future where organ transfers could be facilitated via drones, revolutionizing healthcare accessibility and efficiency.

Closing his remarks, Dr. Mandaviya reiterated the importance of the 'One Health' approach, recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health in addressing future health challenges.

Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, Department of Health Research and DG, ICMR; Dr. Anup Anvikar, Director, ICMR-NIMR, and senior officials of the Union Health Ministry were also present at the event, highlighting the collective commitment to advancing India's health research landscape.