Multi-Disciplinary Research Units

Introduction

The Department of Health Research was created as a new Department under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare vide Presidential Notification dated the 17th September, 2007 by an amendment to the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961. The Department has been allocated 9 new functions to promote health research activities, besides the ongoing work relating to the management and administration of ICMR.

Government of India, in June, 2013, vide sanction order at approved the scheme for 'Establishment of Multi -Disciplinary Research Units (MRUs) in the Government Medical Colleges/Research Institutions' during the 12th Plan period as a path- breaking initiative to develop/strength the health research infrastructure in the country to fulfil the newly allocated function of the Department related to the "Promotion, Coordination and Development of Basic, Applied and Clinical Research".

Objective of the scheme:

The objectives of the present scheme are to:

• Encourage and strengthen an environment of research in medical colleges.
• Bridge the gap in the infrastructure which is inhibiting health research in the Medical Colleges by assisting them to establish multidisciplinary research facilities with a view to improving the health research and health services.
• To ensure the geographical spread of health research infrastructure, in order to cover un-served and under-served Medical Colleges and other institutions.
• To improve the overall health status of the population by creating evidence-based application of diagnostic procedures/processes/methods

Major functions of the MRUs

• To undertake research in non-communicable diseases and other need-based research as recommended by the Local Research Committee/Expert Committee of the DHR employing newer tools.
• To promote and encourage quality medical research in the Institution.
• To constitute the local research committees for identifying the research priorities and projects with participation of State health system officials.

Major functions of the MRU - SMIMER

In the fulfilment of this vision, the MRU- SMIMER Surat will aspire to:

• The SMIMER – MRU will also train and disseminate the best clinical practices and offer practical solutions in all rural and urban facilities.
• Provide the premier level of patient associated translational research.
• Work with integrity and passion to accomplish the mission of high quality health research.
• Seek innovative, holistic solutions to nationally important health issues in collaboration.
•  MRU-SMIMER will be bound by natural responsibility to study the non-communicable diseases that require answers and that which will aid planning, technology and expertise transfers and provide informational resources, educational and technical assistance that could bridge barriers in implementing a modern, affordable and sustainable model of health care delivery based on sound principles of quality.

Agency for Implementation of the Scheme

The scheme was implemented by the Department of Health Research (DHR) with the technical support of ICMR.

Funding/Financial Assistance for the project

One time financial assistance upto Rs. 5.25 crores will be provided to each Government Medical College/Institution for setting up of modern biological lab/multi-disciplinary research unit. This will include Rs. 5.00 crores towards equipment and Rs.25 lakhs for minor civil works for modifications/renovation in the space to be provided by the State Medical College.

Administrative approval (letter No. R.11011/01/2021-HR dated 29.06.2021) for continuation of central sector scheme of establishing Multidisciplinary research unit (MRUs) under the 15th Finance Commission period for next 5 years (2021-22 to 2025-26) was received by SMIMER on dated 30/06/2021.

Research

Below are the project details:

Publications

Below are the publication details:

Working Nodal Team

Sr. No.	Designation	Name
1	Nodal Officer, MRU	Dr. Hetal Desai, Professor & Head, Physiology Department
2	Co- Nodal Officer, MRU	Dr. Ashvin Vachhani, Professor & Head, OBG Department
3	Co- Nodal Officer, MRU	Dr. Ekta Desai Professor, Radiology Department

Executive Committee (EC)

As per the DHR letter R-11016/05/2024 dated 09/05/2024

Sr. No.	Designation	Name
1	Chairperson, MRU	Dr. Deepak Howale, Professor, Anatomy Dean, SMIMER
2	Nodal Officer, MRU	Dr. Hetal Desai, Professor & Head, Physiology Department
3	Member	Dr. Ashvin Vachhani, Professor & Head, OBG Department
4	Member	Dr. Ajay Pawar, Professor & Head, PSM Department
5	Member	Dr. Ashish Surana, Associate Professor, Microbiology Department

Local Research Advisory Committee (LRAC)

As per the DHR letter R-11016/05/2024 dated 09/05/2024

Sr. No.	Position	LRAC Member
1	Chairman, MRU, SMIMER	(Dr. Deepak Howale) Dean, SMIMER, Surat
2	Chairman, LRAC-MRU, SMIMER (External Medical expert)	(Dr. Pratik Tarvadi) Professor & Head, FMT, Dharpur, Patan
3	Co-Chairman, LRAC-MRU, SMIMER (External Medical expert)	(Dr. Gaurav Shah) Professor &Head, Bio-Technology Dept, VNSGU, Surat
4	Member, LRAC, MRU, SMIMER (External Medical expert)	(Dr. K. N. Bhatt) Professor, Dept of Medicine, GMC, Surat
5	Member, LRAC-MRU, SMIMER (Nominee from state health dept)	Dean, GMC, Surat
6	Member, LRAC, MRU, SMIMER (Nominee from ICMR)	(Dr. B. Rakesh) Scientist D ,NIOH, Ahmedabad,
7	Member, LRAC-MRU, SMIMER (Internal Medical expert)	(Dr. Ashvin Vachhani) Professor & Head, OBG Department, SMIMER
8	Member, LRAC-MRU, SMIMER (Internal Medical expert)	(Dr. A. B. Pawar) Professor& Head, Dept of PSM, SMIMER
9	Member Secretary-LRAC, Nodal Officer, MRU, SMIMER	(Dr. Hetal Desai) Professor & Head, Dept of Physiology, SMIMER

Staff Details

Sr. No.	Designation	Name
1	Scientist -II	Dr. Avani  Kasture
2	Scientist -I	Dr. Silver Panchal
3	Laboratory Technician	Mrs. Krunalben Ankurbhai Dave
4	Laboratory Technician	Ms. Riddhi Umraniya
5	Laboratory  Assistant cum Data Operator	Ms. Sweta Singh

Elective: Biomedical research in Genetics and Molecular biology

As per curriculum based Medical Education Guidelines by NMC, Fifteen (15) days elective program was design by MRU for basic understanding in Molecular Biology and research methodology. There was fifteen third year M.B.B.S students were posted at MRU between 01 Jan 2024 to 14 Jan 2024.

Learning objectives of the elective:

• To understand the medical molecular genetics and genomics including current areas of research and research methodologies.
• To demonstrate or conduct the fundamental genetic/Molecular experiments in a controlled environment.
• Introduction to basic statistical software and bioinformatics.
• Introduction to research report/paper/projects writing / IPR (Intellectual Property Rights) and funding opportunities for extramural projects.
• Learn to prepare and present abstract/ Report writing/ Review Paper writing in an internal meeting.

Campaigns

Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) campaign

Swachhata hi Seva Abhiyan was established by the Indian government on September 15. On October 1st, 2023, this program of donated communal labour was to begin. Prime Minister of India launched 'Swachhata Hi Seva', a 15-day initiative that requires people to volunteer for clean-up drives and contribute to the goal of Clean India as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission.

Under the guidance from DHR, MRU SMIMER organized various Swachhata initiatives such as shramdan activity, Tree plantation along with all staffs and students took Swachhta pledge under the Swachhata Hi Seva campaign.

Major accomplishments

• Department of Health Research (DHR) Delhi, organized the meeting on 8-9th January 2019 for a review of performance of all MRUs and MRHRUs was reported. After the successful presentation the DHR committee evaluated the progress and graded as SMIMER-MRU overall progress/output was considered as scientifically “GOOD”.
• MRU - SMIMER with collaboration Dr. Pradeep Barde Associate Professor Physiology– AIIMS Rajkot and STRUmed Solutions worked on the Inter- MRU project titled “Clinical Validation of indigenously developed Fluorescence Immunoassay Analyser (FIA) System for quantitative measurement of various disease markers at Point Of Care (POC)” To overcome the limitations of existing testings, Project was planned to introduce FIA analyser as a point of care alternative for CLIA machine, which will overcome all above shortcomings with equal accuracy for diagnosis of illness which is now available in market.
• Project “Cost Effectiveness Pradhan Mantri Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMJP) and Cost-effectiveness of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP): The cost data generated by the study is used to develop the national cost data based and cost function and policy making for India. Further, research is recommended to develop a cost-function for unit cost estimation with changes in time, region, prices, skill-mix and other factors.
• During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Multidisciplinary Research Unit (MRU) laboratory played a pivotal role in establishing COVID-19 testing facilities. MRU was entrusted with several COVID-related projects directly from ICMR, including studies on the effectiveness of Covaxin and Covishield vaccines, reinfection studies with SARS CoV-2 among healthcare workers in India, post COVID-19 rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis in India, and the National COVID-19 Clinical Registry – India. All the COVID related completed projects are acting as stepping stones for the government agency to design and plan the future guidelines and policy making.