The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) organised Health Research Conclave 2020 on December 23-24 2020 under the ambit of India International Science Festival (IISF-2020). The aim of conclave was to provide a platform for interaction between the policy makers, students, early researchers and the eminent experts in the field of medical research.

The theme of this year’s Health Research Conclave (HRC) was ‘Health Research for a Happy, Healthy and Self reliant India’. During two day conclave experts discussed and gave their insights on topics like emerging and re-emerging infections, Atmanirbhar Bharat- race for COVID-19 vaccine, holistic health, healthy India-fit India, universal health coverage & the eliminable diseases.

Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Minister of State, Health & Family Welfare said, “Health research’s role has gained prominence in confronting the health challenges that the country is currently facing and will provide an effective way to encounter future challenges.”

Dr Samiran Panda, Head, ECD, ICMR and Director, NARI, Pune emphasised that health is not limited to medical research and well-being. There is a need to acknowledge the broader and holistic issue of health.

Dr VK Paul, Member, NITI Aayog provided his views on integrative health systems. He emphasised to create an atmosphere where there is a joint effort to provide holistic health in our country on a true scale. 

Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Chief Scientist, WHO gave an invigorating talk on global strategy to end tuberculosis by 2025. She added that TB incidence rate is falling, but not fast enough to reach the 2020 milestone of a 20 per cent reduction between 2015-2020.