Health Ministry Initiates Recruitment for Technical Resource Centres
The Union Health Ministry, in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), is advancing efforts to establish Technical Resource Centres (TRCs) aimed at synthesizing and evaluating evidence to develop and promote evidence-based healthcare policies. These centres will play a pivotal role in formulating clinical guidelines and enhancing the adoption of best practices within the healthcare sector. ICMR has issued a call for Expressions of Interest (EoI) from researchers, faculty, and scientists to join these centres. Each TRC will receive financial support of up to ₹20 lakh per year, with funding initially set for three years and subject to annual performance reviews. The TRCs will conduct systematic reviews and meta-analyses to generate high-quality evidence, utilizing the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) approach. The centres will also organize training programs and workshops to disseminate best practices and support effective guideline development. Regular monitoring visits, professional development plans, and biannual training programs are integral components of the TRCs’ operations. Manuscripts based on completed evidence tables are expected to be submitted within three months. The ICMR has outlined eligibility criteria for applicants, including regular employment at medical institutes, research centres, universities, or colleges, along with the necessary experience, resources, and preferably access to relevant databases. Applications will be reviewed by an expert committee, with selected participants to be notified via email and the DHR website in September 2024. The evaluation of applications will be based on expertise in evidence synthesis, available infrastructure and resources, publication history, and the extent of collaboration and networking capabilities. Source: The Hindu