By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, NOV 23, 2024: UNION Health Ministry entered into a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and Ministry of Education to provide enhanced funding and technical support to Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS), BHU, here today. Union Minister Health and Family Welfare J P Nadda and Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan were present on the occasion.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed today enables provision of grant in aid to IMS, BHU by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on the lines of new All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) set up under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY). The provision of grant to IMS BHU by MoHFW will enhance the availability of affordable state-of-the-art secondary and tertiary health care services to the people of the region. It will contribute significantly in reducing referrals by enhancing delivery of clinical care services. This will result not only in increased patient experience and satisfaction but is expected to notably reduce out of pocket expenditure on patient care. Union Health Ministry has from time to time been providing support to IMS, BHU under various schemes for establishment of new facilities and upgradation of existing ones. Considering the excellence of IMS BHU and its potential to further improve the quality of health care services, need was felt for providing enhanced support to enable it to deliver healthcare services of highest standards.

Calling this a historic day, J P Nadda stated that this MoU is a result of the Union Government's “whole of the government” approach, which fosters increased collaboration across various government departments for shared goals aimed towards people's benefit.

Nadda emphasized that this MoU would establish close partnership between AIIMS, New Delhi, and IMS, BHU leading to higher teaching standards and excellence in research outcomes too. He also proposed regular student and faculty exchanges between IMS, BHU and AIIMS for enhanced outcomes.

Speaking on the occasion Pradhan said that the MoU will deepen academic and research collaboration between AIIMS and IMS BHU paving the way for sharing of knowledge and expertise, particularly in the areas of upgradation of clinical and healthcare facilities, robotics surgery, hospital administration and governance among others. The MoU will help establish IMS, BHU as a world-class institute, he added.

Smt. Punya Srivastava, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare stated that “this MoU provides for sharing of experience, technical support and academic cooperation between the two Institutes. This is in alignment with the Union Govt's “whole of government” and “whole of society” approach.”

Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Education said, “the MoU provides for both technical and administrative support to IMS, BHU and this has been possible because of the government's commitment to a collaborative approach.”

Prof. Sudhir K. Jain, Vice Chancellor, BHU noted that, “It is rare for an institute to be supported by two Ministries.” He said BHU will continue to enhance its teaching standards, research outputs and assured that the MoU will be implemented in letter and spirit.

Background:

Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS) is a prestigious Institute of BHU with four full-fledged constituents namely, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Ayurveda, Faculty of Dental Sciences, and College of Nursing. An MoU was signed India between All Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi and Institute of Medical Science, Banaras Hindu University on 19th June 2018 to facilitate exposure to latest developments and best practices in health care, medical education and research. The MoU inter alia provided that MoHFW may also consider financially supporting infrastructure development projects to create health care and research facility in various super specialties in collaboration with Ministry of Education.

The mutually agreed action plan for future engagement under the said MoU of 2018 includes:

- Sharing of experience and expertise in upgradation of clinical facilities.

- Cooperation & collaboration in the areas of teaching & learning for UGs, PGs, Nurses and Allied Health Professionals.

- Technical Support in establishing & operating 'State of the Art Skill Lab' facility.

- Training & mentorship tor starting Robotic Surgery facilities.

- General academic collaboration, including exchange of educational resource materials and publications that are of mutual interest.

- Development of student & staff exchange programmes, visiting scholars programme, research fellowship programmes, etc.

- Collaborative basic and applied, research, including joint grant applications.

- Support in implementation of key Governance reforms.

- Any other mutually agreed areas which may be identified from time to time for the holistic growth of AIIMS New Delhi & IMS BHU.

Jaideep Kumar Mishra, Addl. Secretary & Financial Advisor, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; Sunil Kumar Barnwal, Addl. Secretary, Ministry of Education; Smt. Ankita Mishra Bundela, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; Prof. M Srinivas, Director, AIIMS, New Delhi; Prof. SN Sankhwar, Director, IMS, BHU; Prof. Arun Kumar Singh, Registrar, BHU and senior officers of the Union Government were present on the occasion.