Medical research in India is set to get a push with the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) giving its approval for setting up multi-disciplinary research units in 80 Government medical colleges during the 12th Plan period.

Of these, at least 35 units are proposed to be set up during the current fiscal and 45 in 2014-15 fiscal. It is estimated that the move will cost about Rs 503.85 crore.

The proposal was made by the Department of Health Research in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Each Government college will receive a one-time financial assistance of up to Rs 5.25 crore for setting up a modern biological lab or research unit. Of this, Rs 5 crore will go towards equipment and Rs 25 lakh for required renovations.

Further, each college will get an annual financial assistance of Rs 19.23 lakh for recurring expenditure towards staff and Rs 15 lakh (per annum) for consumable goods, training and emergencies for a period of five years.

State Governments will provide the space for the establishment of these labs free-of-cost and will takeover the recurring expenditure liability of the labs after the project period of five years.

“The measure will encourage and strengthen an environment of research in Government medical colleges and bridge the gap in infrastructure, which is inhibiting health research in medical colleges. This will improve the health status of the population by creating evidence-based application of diagnostic procedures, processes and methods,” an official release said.

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