Background

About Department of Health Research

Department of Health Research (DHR) was created as a separate Department within the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare by an amendment to the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961 on 17th Sept, 2007.

Creation Milestones:

• The President notified the creation of the Department of Health Research under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare through an amendment to the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961 on the 17th September 2007.
• The Department of Health Research was formally launched on 5th October 2007 by the Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences in a function presided over by the Minister for Health & Family Welfare, in the presence, inter-alia, of the Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare.
• The Department became functional from November 2008 with the appointment of first Secretary of the Department.

The aim of the DHR is to bring modern health technologies to the people through research and innovations related to diagnosis, treatment methods and vaccines for prevention; to translate them into products and processes and, in synergy with concerned organizations, introduce these innovations into public health system.

{For more information click on the link - https://dhr.gov.in/ }

About Health Technology Assessment in India (HTAIn)

The Department of Health Research has set up a health technology assessment body named as “Health Technology Assessment in India (HTAIn)” to evaluate all kinds of Medical Technologies. The need to establish such a body was discussed and recommended by 12th Plan Working Group on Health Research. Considering the recommendations, the Government recognized the urgent requirement of Health Technology Assessment body in India and therefore, has decided to set up Health Technology Assessment in India (HTAIn) for evaluation and appropriateness and cost effectiveness of the available and new Health Technologies in India.

The HTAIn aims to encourage the process and finalize the development of standardized cost effective interventions that will reduce the cost and variations in patient care, expenditure on medical equipment in directly affecting the cost of patient care, overall cost of medical treatment, reduction in out of pocket expenditure of patients and streamline the medical reimbursement procedures.

The logo of Health Technology Assessment in India (HTAIn) is in the form of a shield which represents the protecting role of HTAIn towards its citizens from the financial hardships arising out of health care seeking. The top of the shield is marked with Ashok Chakra, depicting the allegiance of HTAIn towards the constitutional values and the nation. The Rod of Asclepius and the symbol of the Indian Rupee are placed side by side below the National Emblem; as while making a decision about the cost-effectiveness of an intervention, HTAIn gives due consideration to both public health potential and the costs associated with the intervention. “ सर्वेः सन्तु निरामयाेः” is scripted in Devnagri script on a ribbon, which means “Let all be healthy”, and expresses the devotion of HTAIn towards the values of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).