Govt Signs Historic MoU to Transform IMS-BHU into a Global Center for Healthcare and Research Excellence

Shri Dharmendra Pradhan highlighted the potential of IMS-BHU to transform healthcare in Eastern Uttar Pradesh and neighbouring states.

In a landmark step toward advancing healthcare, education, and research in India, a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed among the Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS), Banaras Hindu University (BHU), the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), and the Ministry of Education. The signing was witnessed by Union Minister of Education Shri Dharmendra Pradhan and Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Shri J. P. Nadda, underscoring the government’s commitment to fostering holistic development in these critical sectors.

The MoU enables the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to provide grant-in-aid to IMS-BHU under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), similar to the support extended to new AIIMS institutions. This collaboration aims to:

Enhance state-of-the-art secondary and tertiary healthcare services in the region.

Reduce patient referral rates by bolstering local healthcare delivery systems.

Significantly cut out-of-pocket expenditures for medical care.

Establish IMS-BHU as a global center of excellence in healthcare, education, and research.

Ministerial Insights on the MoU

Shri Dharmendra Pradhan highlighted the potential of IMS-BHU to transform healthcare in Eastern Uttar Pradesh and neighbouring states. He emphasized the need for:

Strengthening research collaborations with premier national and international institutions.

Enhancing teaching standards to build a workforce capable of addressing contemporary medical challenges.

Developing integrated services in healthcare and education, in line with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a New India.

Shri Pradhan noted, “This MoU reflects the Prime Minister's vision of empowering institutions like BHU to evolve as global hubs of excellence. Varanasi is poised to become a key center for integrated healthcare and education services.”

Shri J. P. Nadda lauded the collaboration as a testament to the Union Government's “whole of the government” approach, which fosters cross-departmental cooperation for public benefit. He said the MoU would:

Establish a close partnership between AIIMS, New Delhi, and IMS-BHU.

Facilitate regular faculty and student exchanges to elevate teaching and research standards.

Promote advancements in robotic surgery, hospital governance, and clinical facility upgrades.

Shri Nadda called the occasion a “historic day”, adding, “This collaboration will undoubtedly lead to transformative changes in healthcare delivery and research outcomes.”

Further Commitments and Vision

The MoU includes provisions for sharing:

Technical and administrative expertise between AIIMS and IMS-BHU.

Innovative healthcare technologies, including cutting-edge surgical techniques and advanced hospital management practices.

Resources for research and education, emphasizing robotics, data-driven diagnostics, and interdisciplinary healthcare solutions.

The Vice-Chancellor of BHU, Prof. Sudhir K. Jain, expressed gratitude for the rare opportunity to work with dual ministerial support, ensuring that the university meets global standards in healthcare and research.

Smt. Punya Srivastava, Secretary of MoHFW, stressed the alignment of the MoU with the government’s integrated approach to empowering medical institutions and creating a robust healthcare system.

Impact on Regional and National Development

This initiative is expected to significantly improve healthcare access in rural and urban areas of Uttar Pradesh and surrounding states. Additionally, the focus on academic exchanges and cutting-edge medical research will strengthen India’s position as a global leader in healthcare innovation.

With this partnership, IMS-BHU is set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of healthcare and education, aligning with the nation’s broader development goals under Mission Viksit Bharat.