Union Health Minister Announces Successful Completion of 100-Day Health Research Program

The program, led by the DHR, focuses on healthcare innovation, pandemic preparedness, and the development of indigenous medical solutions.

Union Health Minister JP Nadda announced the successful completion of the 100-Day Health Research Program, aimed at strengthening India’s healthcare system.

The program, led by the Department of Health Research (DHR), focuses on healthcare innovation, pandemic preparedness, and the development of indigenous medical solutions.

As part of the program, various initiatives were rolled out to address healthcare challenges, including the Med-Tech Mitra, a collaboration between the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO).

Over 250 innovators, start-ups, and industry partners have been supported through this platform to streamline the development of regulation-compliant products and indigenous medical solutions.

The Union Health Minister 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 National One Health Mission (NOHM), another key initiative, aims to enhance pandemic preparedness by tackling diseases at the intersection of human, animal, and environmental health.

Several activities have been conducted under this mission, including the establishment of a National Network of BSL-3 Laboratories, training programs, and a mock drill of H5N1 "Vishanu Yudh Abhyas".

In addition to pandemic preparedness, the program focuses on creating indigenous medical solutions for rare diseases.

Twelve indigenous drugs for eight rare diseases, such as Muscular Dystrophy and Gaucher's Disease, are under development to make treatment more accessible and affordable.

DHR’s efforts also include the establishment of Integrated Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (IRDLs), enhancing viral research and diagnostics across the country, and the launch of the “First in the World” Challenge, which seeks to fund high-risk, high-reward innovations in biomedical research.

Dr Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, DHR and DG, ICMR, emphasized the significance of these initiatives, stating that they are a testament to the government's commitment to advancing healthcare through research and innovation.

The initiatives under the 100-Day Health Research Program are set for an official launch in October 2024.

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