IMS-BHU Signs MoU for Funding & Technical Support to Transform Healthcare & Research

The MoU includes grants-in-aid provisions for IMS-BHU, mirroring the funding structure for AIIMS under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY).

A tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Friday between the Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University (IMS-BHU), the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), and the Ministry of Education to elevate IMS-BHU as a world-class institution.

The agreement, signed in New Delhi, was attended by Union Health Minister JP Nadda, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, BHU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sudhir Kumar Jain, and IMS-BHU Director Prof SN Sankhwar.

The MoU includes grants-in-aid provisions for IMS-BHU, mirroring the funding structure for AIIMS under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY).

Improving Healthcare Access & Infrastructure

The funding aims to enhance affordable secondary and tertiary healthcare services for eastern Uttar Pradesh and neighboring regions. It is expected to reduce patient referrals by improving clinical care services, thereby increasing patient satisfaction and reducing out-of-pocket expenses.

Union Health Minister JP Nadda highlighted that the partnership between AIIMS, New Delhi, and IMS-BHU will foster academic and research collaboration. “This MoU exemplifies the Centre's 'whole-of-government' approach to strengthen institutions and provide holistic benefits to the people,” he said.

Nadda proposed regular student and faculty exchanges between IMS-BHU and AIIMS to boost teaching and research standards. He added that the collaboration would enable IMS-BHU to adopt best practices in robotic surgery, hospital administration, and healthcare governance.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan emphasized the importance of IMS-BHU in addressing healthcare and research needs in the region.

He urged the institution to leverage the MoU to advance its teaching, research, and healthcare delivery capabilities.

“The Prime Minister’s vision of a holistic and inclusive New India is deeply rooted in empowering institutions like IMS-BHU to serve as global centers of excellence,” Pradhan said.

IMS-BHU Dean of Research Prof Gopal Nath expressed optimism about the MoU’s impact.

“Our responsibility in research and patient care has become more significant, and this partnership will further enhance our infrastructure and capabilities,” he noted.

The collaboration between AIIMS and IMS-BHU builds on an earlier MoU signed in 2018, which focused on exposure to advanced healthcare practices and research.

The new agreement is expected to further strengthen IMS-BHU's ability to provide cutting-edge healthcare, expand research infrastructure, and deliver world-class medical education.

By enhancing funding and technical support, the MoU positions IMS-BHU as a critical healthcare and research hub for the region, aligning with the government’s goal of making healthcare more accessible and innovative.