Collaboration with The International Clinical Epidemiology Network to boost research, training and innovation
Mumbai, November 2026: Maharashtra is integrating research, modern technology and medical education to make healthcare services more qualitative, effective and responsive to the needs of ordinary citizens. Under the vision of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the Department of Medical Education has taken an important step towards strengthening healthcare delivery across the state.
A collaboration involving the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS), the State Medical Education Department and the international research organisation The International Clinical Epidemiology Network (INCLEN) is expected to create significant opportunities to strengthen health research, train researchers, enhance the research capabilities of medical colleges and improve policymaking.
The primary objective of this collaboration is to ensure that healthcare-related decisions are based not merely on available information but also on evidence generated through scientific research.
The partnership will help identify the state's healthcare priorities, assess the implementation of various health schemes, identify gaps in healthcare delivery and develop effective solutions. This is expected to improve the performance of government health programmes and provide citizens with better-quality healthcare services.
Maharashtra to Benefit from Global Research Experience
The International Clinical Epidemiology Network is a non-profit organisation registered in India. Established in 1980 with financial support from the Rockefeller Foundation, it has undertaken extensive work in clinical epidemiology, public health, medical research and research capacity-building.
The organisation shifted its global headquarters to India in 2005. It has been recognised by the Department of Science and Technology as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation. Since 2023, it has also been recognised as an Associate Centre of Excellence by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
With a network of more than 256 institutions across the country, INCLEN has coordinated over 70 major multicentre research studies in India. In Maharashtra, it has worked with more than 15 government medical colleges on various research initiatives and has also established collaborative relationships with private medical colleges.
Research to Play a Key Role in Healthcare Policymaking
INCLEN has conducted research on several important public health issues, including the evaluation of the Pulse Polio Immunisation Campaign, the Universal Immunisation Programme, injection safety, child nutrition, maternal and newborn health, anaemia elimination and the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A nationwide study conducted by the organisation on injection safety highlighted the prevalence of unsafe injection practices. The findings helped promote safe injection practices in immunisation services and encouraged the adoption of auto-disable syringes in place of glass syringes.
Similarly, evaluations of various health programmes have provided important inputs for improving their implementation.
Under the guidance of NITI Aayog, INCLEN also partnered with the organisation PATH to evaluate the ‘Anaemia Mukt Bharat’ initiative across 15 states during 2023-24.
The experience gained through such research can be used to make Maharashtra's healthcare programmes more effective.
Focus on Building Research Capabilities in Medical Colleges
In collaboration with MUHS and the Department of Medical Education, several initiatives can be undertaken for faculty members, young researchers and students of medical colleges across the state.
These may include training in research methodology, biostatistics, implementation research, qualitative research, preparation of research proposals, epidemiological studies using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and digital data collection and database management.
The proposed areas of collaboration also include research leadership and management programmes for senior faculty members, field research training for students, research internships, and joint seminars and conferences.
Subject to the applicable university rules, the possibility of appointing eligible researchers as visiting or adjunct faculty members at the university may also be explored.
Opportunities to Address Local Healthcare Challenges
INCLEN has established research observatories in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Meghalaya to collect information related to population, development and the environment.
These observatories study not only health-related data but also information concerning the environment, geographical conditions and the human-made surroundings.
This multidisciplinary research approach could be used to study local healthcare challenges in Maharashtra.
Developing research projects based on the state's healthcare priorities, preparing proposals for national-level research funding and implementing joint research programmes with the participation of medical colleges could give fresh direction to healthcare research in Maharashtra.
Moving Towards a Research-Driven, Citizen-Centric Healthcare System
In line with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's vision, strengthening Maharashtra's healthcare system requires greater coordination among medical education, scientific research, technology and actual healthcare delivery.
Collaboration with an experienced organisation such as The International Clinical Epidemiology Network can help develop a research culture in medical colleges, provide a scientific foundation for healthcare decisions and improve the effectiveness of government health schemes.
The initiative is expected to create opportunities to ensure that the benefits of research ultimately translate into tangible improvements in patient care and public health across the state.
