15 Model Rural Health Research Units to be Set Up During 12 Plan Period

New Delhi: A scheme for “Establishment of Model Rural Health Research Units (MRHRUs) in the States” during the 12th Plan period has been approved and rolled out for implementation in 2013-14. The objectives of the scheme are:

• Create infrastructure at the periphery for transfer of technology to the rural level for improving the quality of health services to rural population.
• To ensure an interface between the new technology developers (Researchers in the Medical Institutions; State or Centre) health systems operators (Centre or state health services) and the beneficiaries (communities in rural areas).
• Ensure the much needed geographical spread of health research infrastructure in the Country.

The scheme involves setting up of 15 MRHRUs during the 12th Plan period, at a total estimated cost of Rs.67.66 crores. The salient features of the guidelines and financial/operational modalities for implementation of the scheme are given below:

Scheme for ‘Establishment of Model Rural Health Research Units (MRHRUs) in the States’ during the 12th Plan Period- Salient Features of the Guidelines and Financial/Operational Modalities for the Implementation of the Scheme.

INTRODUCTION:

1. The scheme entails establishment of 15 Model Rural Health Research Units during the 12th Plan period (7 Units in 2013-14 and 8 Units in 2014-15), at an estimated cost of Rs.67.66 crores.
2. The scheme has been developed on the model of a functional rural health unit of ICMR at Ghatampur (UP), which has successfully demonstrated how the modern technologies and research, can be transferred and used in the rural settings for providing better health care to the population.

FUNDING MECHANISM OF THE SCHEME:

3. Financial assistance of Rs.3.075 cr. would be provided for establishment of each MRHRU (Rs.2.075 cr. towards civil works and Rs. 1.00 cr. towards equipment).
4. Recurring expenditure would not exceed Rs.30 lakhs per annum on staffing of each MRHRU and Rs.20 lakhs per annum towards consumables, trainings, contingency etc.
5. The funds for civil works & procurement of equipment would be released in two instalments. 50% of the funds would be released at the time of approval/sanctioning of the project and remaining 50% in the next year or submission of the Utilization Certificate of the first instalment, whichever is earlier.
6. Funds for staff/manpower (to be engaged on contractual basis) for the approved/sanctioned MRHRU would be released only in the 2nd year of the sanctioning of the concerned MRHRU.
7. The funds will be released by the Department of Health Research (DHR) to the ICMR for establishment of the approved MRHRUs in accordance with the approved parameters of the scheme.
8. Each Unit will be established in a total covered area of about 620 sq. mtrs. (to be constructed as a multi-storied block). AMoA (Memorandum of Agreement) is required to be signed by the State Government for providing requisite land approx.300-400 square meters free of cost.
9. The Model Rural Health Research Units (MRHRU) will be set up preferably in close proximity to the state health facility (Community/Primary Health Centre at Block level) so that the unit could work in close coordination with the state health providers, national level research institutions and medical colleges in developing models for transfer of technologies in rural settings.
10. Each MRHRU will be linked to the nearest ICMR institute to mentor and guide the research activities of MRHRU relevant to local needs. These research activities would be monitored/ guided by the Committee, consisting of Eminent Scientists of National repute with representation from state govt. medical colleges, state health services and other concerned state health officials, constituted with the approval of Secretary, DHR.

Establishment of 8 MRHRUs has been sanctioned during the year 2013-14 in the States of Assam (PHC Chabua), HimachalPradesh(CHC, Haroli), Rajasthan (Bhanpur Kala, Government Health Clinic, Jaipur), Tamil Nadu (State Rural Health Centre,Tirunelveli), Tripura(Kherengbar Hospital Khumulwng), Karnataka(PHC, Sirwar, ManviTaluk, Raichur), Punjab (CHC Bhunga, Hoshiarpur) and Maharashtra(Sub District hospital, Dahanu, Thane).

The Health Minister was replying to a question in the LokSabha here today.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.