More medical colleges to get multi-disciplinary research units in TN

The department, which was established by the Central Government in all states under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to promote health research activities, introduced the scheme in state government-run medical colleges during the XII Plan.

As part of efforts to create a dedicated infrastructure for research in medical colleges with a special focus on non-communicable diseases, five MRDUs were sanctioned to Tamil Nadu against the total sanction of 41 colleges in India. “The MRDUs were sanctioned for Madras Medical College (MMC) and Tirunelveli Medical College initially and later expanded to Coimbatore Medical College, Dr ALM Post Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, the The School of Basic Medical Sciences at Taramani and Chengalpattu Medical College. Three years after their inception, the units will be handed over fully to the state government,” said Dr Joe, adding that it was being expanded to other medical colleges in the state as well.

The research topics, which now focus on the aspect of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), are open to researchers from any department. “The project will be based on any epidemic for the public contention. So far, 10 projects at the MMC have received approval from the Department of Health and Research and four other projects for three years each have been taken up,” said Dr Narayansamy, Nodal Officer, MRDU, and Medical Superintendent, Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital.

Conveying that the number of research papers in the state have increased by over 100, Dr Edwin Joe said, “Only a few students has registered for PhD in Dr MGR Medical University under this scheme. However, as original publications are now mandatory for promotion, it has seen an increase.”

Each medical college has received a fund of Rs 5.2 crore for the units. “A sum of Rs 25 lakh will be spent exclusively on civil works, while the balance amount will be solely for the purchase of equipment. Further, grants will be given as per requirements of the projects that are being undertaken,” said Dr Narayansamy.

Stressing on the importance of health research, state government Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan said that translational research is needed drastically. “We have a lot of clinical facilities and material and, therefore, MRDU will go a long way not only in giving a fillip to research, but to provide opportunities to find solutions for several difficult issues.”

The scheme is backed by the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR).