The cabinet committee on economic affairs (CCEA) has approved the proposal of the department of health research in the ministry of health and family welfare for the setting up of multi-disciplinary research units (MDRUs) in 80 government medical colleges at an estimated cost of about Rs 503.85 crore, during the 12th plan period. Of these, 35 units will be established in 2013-14 and 45 in 2014-15.

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.

One time financial assistance upto Rs 5.25 crore will be provided to each government medical college/institution for setting up of a modern biological lab/multi-disciplinary research unit. This will include Rs.5 crore towards equipment and Rs.25 lakh for minor civil works for modifications/renovation in the space to be provided by the state medical college. In addition, financial assistance of Rs.19.23 lakh per annum for meeting recurring expenditure towards staff and Rs.15 lakh per annum towards consumables/training/contingencies will also be provided for a period of five years to each medical college/institution.

The state Government will be required to provide requisite space (free of cost) for establishment of MDRUs in medical colleges and will also be required to take over the recurring expenditure liability of the labs after the project period of five years.

While research should have been the integral activity of medical colleges, a majority of medical colleges have confined themselves to routine patient care and are not pursuing newer methods of investigation for understanding pathological diagnosis, treatment and management practices. This is due to both lack of appropriate facilities for conducting research and lack of motivation on the part of faculty and students in medical colleges for conducting research.