South and SEA countries partner to strengthen health research systems

Key priority areas include joint efforts in medical technology innovation and ethics.

Representatives from Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste, and India convened at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan in New Delhi to strengthen health research systems.

In a meeting led by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Department of Health Research, the countries agreed to cooperate on antimicrobial resistance, non-communicable diseases, and the “One Health” approach.

Key priority areas include joint efforts in medical technology innovation, field epidemiology training, ethics, and quality assurance.

Meanwhile, the ICMR said it would provide regional partners with access to its resources, including standardised ethics review forms and free online training courses.

The countries agreed to set up structured mechanisms for collaboration. These include annual and biannual meetings, exchange visits, and joint capacity-building programmes.

Moreover, they committed to coordinated action on pandemic preparedness, infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, maternal health, and medical innovation.