Indian Council Of Medical Research The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research, is one of the oldest and largest medical research bodies in the world.The ICMR is funded by the government of india through the department of health research, ministry of health and family welfare. In 2007 the organization established the clinical trials registry India which is India’s national registry for clinical trials.ICMR’s 26 national institutes address themselves to research on specific health topics like tuberculosis, leprosy, cholera and diarrhoeal diseases, viral diseases including AIDS, malaria, kala azar, vector control, nutrition, food & drug toxicology, reproduction, immuno haematology, oncology, medical statistics, etc. Its 6 regional medical research centres address themselves to regional health problems, and also aim to strengthen or generate research capabilities in different geographic areas of the country.
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The council’s research priorities coincide with National health priorities such as control and management of communicable diseases, fertility control, maternal and child health, control of nutritional disorders, developing alternative strategies for health care delivery, containment within safety limits of environmental and occupational health problems; research on major non-communicable diseases like cancer, cardiovascular diseases, blindness, diabetes and other metabolic and haematological disorders; mental health research and drug research. These efforts are undertaken with a view to reduce the total burden of disease and to promote health and well-being of the population.
Indian Council Of Medical Research Overview
| Predecessor | Indian Research Fund Association |
| Formation |
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| Type | Government Organisation |
| Legal status | Active |
| Headquarters | New Delhi, India |
| Location | India |
| Key people | Balram Bhargava Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research (Secretary – GoI – Department of Health Research) |
| Parent organization | Ministry of Health and Family Welfare |
| Budget | 2,358 crore (2021–2022) |
| Website | www.icmr.gov.in |
ICMR History
In 1911 the Government of india set up the indian research fund association (IRFA) with the specific objective of sponsoring and coordinating medical research in the country. After independence, several important changes were made in the organisation and the activities of the IRFA. It was redesignated the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in 1949, considerably expanded scope of functions.
Indian Council Of Medical Research Activities
Extramural research is promoted by ICMR by establishing centres for advanced research in different research areas around existing expertise and infrastructure in selected departments of medical colleges, universities and other non-ICMR research institutes. The ICMR also funds task force studies which emphasise a time-bound, goal-oriented approach with clearly defined targets, specific time frames, standardised and uniform methodologies, and often a multicentric structure. Open-ended research is conducted on the basis of applications for grants-in-aid received from scientists in non-ICMR Research Institutes, Medical colleges and Universities located in different parts of the country. Collaborative research projects with other institutes such as that between Institute of Pathology, Delhi and NCR are also undertaken.
ICMR’s Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDL) for diagnosis of the viral and other infectious diseases is gradually evolving and is proposed to be the largest network of laboratories for timely identification of viruses and other agents causing morbidity significant at public health level and specific agents causing epidemics and/or potential agents for bioterrorism and undertake research for identification of emerging and newer genetically active/ modified agents. In addition to research activities, ICMR also provides international fellowship programme for research and training and exposure of Indian biomedical scientists in various countries as well as offering opportunities to scientists from developing countries to come and work in Indian institutes/laboratories. It is also the secretariat for health ministry screening committee (HMSC) meeting organised monthly for consideration of international collaborative research projects.
It also encourages human resource development in biomedical research through research fellowships, short term visiting fellowships, short term research studentships and various training programmes and workshops conducted by ICMR institutes and headquarters.for retired medical scientists and teachers the council offers the position of emeritus scientist to enable them to continue or take up research on specific biomedical topics. The council also awards prizes to Indian scientists, in recognition of significant contributions to biomedical research as well as those who work in the underdeveloped parts of the country.At present the council offers 38 awards of which 11 are meant exclusively for young scientists.
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