The George Institute for International Health, a not-for-profit health research institute, with head office in Sydney, Australia, today announced the launch of The George Institute, India, which is also registered as a not-for-profit organisation. The George Institute is affiliated with the University of Sydney.
In a congratulatory message, Dr Anbumani Ramadoss, the Honourable Union Health & Family Welfare Minister said, "My best wishes to The George Institute and its partners for this important new venture. Good health of our people is a necessary requirement for achieving sustainable growth and progress. A better health infrastructure is crucial for helping India reach a high growth trajectory in all spheres. The Government of India is committed to improving the lives of the people across all sections of the Indian society. Along with its own initiatives, it looks forward to associations that can help achieve the desired results. We are therefore delighted to welcome The George Institute as a valuable ally towards our goal of making India a healthier nation. I am pleased to announce that we have started this collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), The George Institute and the University of Sydney by signing a Memorandum of Understanding today. This will facilitate improvements in the health of Indian citizens and the health system in India. I anticipate that The George Institute will help bring its global experience and expertise in the development of research and capacity building in support of India's health priorities."
In India, The George Institute aims to contribute significantly towards improving the health landscape. Its mission is to identify solutions to major health problems through research, the translation of research findings into policy and practice, and capacity building. The Institute seeks to discover modifiable causes of the conditions causing major disease burden, including communicable and non-communicable diseases and injuries, to identify effective and affordable prevention and treatment strategies, and to strengthen health systems and services.
Announcing the launch, Professor Lalit Dandona, Senior Director, The George Institute, India, said, "The George Institute is an organisation for public good with a global footprint and rich expertise in population health. We are proud to be partnering with ICMR and the University of Sydney to further strengthen our commitment to India. There is a huge need to work towards systematic, long-term health improvements of the Indian population. We will undertake large-scale health research projects and help apply the findings to boost relevant health programmes in India. We hope that, with this partnership with the Government of India through ICMR, and with subsequent partnerships with a range of stakeholders in India, we can contribute to radical improvements in the lives of Indians."
Expressing his views, Dr. S.K. Bhattacharya, Additional Director General of ICMR, said, "We are pleased to be partnering with The George Institute and the University of Sydney on a range of health research issues that are important for India. The research priorities of the ICMR are in line with the national health policy and ICMR works very closely with national health programmes. ICMR is part of the Department of Health Research in India's Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. We believe that our collaboration with The George Institute and the University of Sydney will be useful in addressing key issues directly relevant to improving the health of India's population."
Professor N.K. Ganguly, former Director General of ICMR who played a key role in initiating the collaboration with The George Institute and the University of Sydney, said, "We identified substantial synergies in the interests of ICMR and these institutions to improve the health situation in India through research, which rapidly led to an agreement that would be beneficial to India and all institutions involved. I am delighted that this Memorandum of Understanding has been signed today, which will now enable the actual task of collaborating on research and teaching to move forward for better health in India."
Speaking on the occasion, Professor Bruce Robinson, Dean at the University of Sydney said, "The Faculty of Medicine at the University of Sydney is internationally regarded for its cutting-edge education and research across the full spectrum of health and medical sciences including basic, clinical and public health disciplines. The George Institute has been affiliated with the University since its inception, and this partnership gives us another opportunity to work closely with The George Institute in India to contribute to better health of the people in India."
The three partners have expressed keen interest in developing broad ranging collaborations in health/medical research and teaching and applications to improve population health and health systems in India.
About The George Institute
The George Institute for International Health is a not-for-profit institution that works towards improvement and development of global health through undertaking high quality research, and applying this research to health policy and practice. Through key affiliations around the globe, and collaborations with a network of highly capable organisations that provide regional, national and local expertise and resources, the Institute extends its ability to carry out important health projects. With its global partners, multi-disciplinary faculty and worldwide programs, The George Institute is uniquely placed to deliver results in a diverse range of economic, ethnic and cultural situations. The George Institute is affiliated with The University of Sydney.
About ICMR
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), based in New Delhi, India is the apex body for the formulation, coordination and promotion of medical/health research in India. The ICMR has consolidated and intensified research on important communicable and non-communicable diseases, reproductive health and nutrition, traditional medicine and upcoming fields of bioinformatics and communication. It works very closely with the national programmes of the Indian government, which have well defined targets for control, elimination and eradication of various diseases. For more information on ICMR, visit www.icmr.nic.in.
About the University of Sydney
The George Institute is affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Sydney. The faculty is Australia's oldest and largest medical faculty undertaking teaching and research in health and medicine of international standing. They are internationally regarded for their cutting-edge education and research in the full spectrum of health and medical sciences including basic, clinical and public health disciplines. The Faculty of Medicine at the University of Sydney is renowned for a wide variety of research and teaching skills and activities in public health.
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