By Our Correspondent
NEW DELHI/BHUBANESWAR: Union Minister of Education Shri Dharmendra Pradhan along with Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Shri J. P Nadda witnessed the signing of a Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) among Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and the Ministry of Education to provide enhanced funding and technical support to Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS), BHU. This collaboration represents a significant step toward redefining the future of healthcare, education, and research in our country.
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 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.
Speaking on the occasion Shri Pradhan said that the MoU will deepen academic and research collaborations, facilitate student, faculty, staff and research professionals exchanges between MoHFW, 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.
Underscoring a sharper focus on research outcomes, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan said that IMS, BHU should strive for excellence and collaborate with national premier Higher Educational Institutions and international institutions to enhance its research output. Highlighting the importance of IMS, BHU towards addressing the medical needs of eastern UP and surrounding states, he urged the institute to further improve its teaching standards to bring more efficiency in its services.
He said that the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has consistently emphasized on holistic and inclusive development in healthcare and education. His vision of a New India is deeply rooted in empowering institutions like BHU to serve as global centers of excellence, the Minister added. Shri Pradhan also said that this MoU aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision, ensuring that Varanasi becomes a hub of integrated healthcare and education services.
Calling this a historic day, Shri 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. Shri 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.
