The Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) in Puducherry has brought national acclaim to its health research initiatives. Its regional resource hub for Health Technology Assessment (HTA) has been honored with a prestigious silver award at a major national forum.
National Recognition at HTA Conclave ARISE 2025
The award was presented during the HTA Conclave ARISE 2025, held on December 17 at the Sushma Swaraj Bhavan in New Delhi. The honor was conferred by two distinguished figures: Dr. V. K. Paul, Member (Health) of NITI Aayog, and Dr. Rajeev Bahl. They presented the award to the institute, recognizing its significant contributions to the field of health technology evaluation.
What is Health Technology Assessment?
Explaining the hub's work, Professor Sitanshu Sekhar Kar from JIPMER's Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, who leads the resource hub, outlined the critical role of HTA. He stated that Health Technology Assessment involves a systematic and transparent evaluation of various health interventions. This includes:
- Medicines and vaccines
- Diagnostic devices and equipment
- Healthcare delivery models and programmes
The primary goal of this process is to ensure that decisions made within the health system are equitable, efficient, and cost-effective, ultimately leading to better resource allocation and patient outcomes.
The Growing HTA Ecosystem in India
The institutional framework for these assessments, known as the Health Technology Assessment in India (HTAIn), was established back in 2017. It functions as an attached office under the Department of Health Research, which is part of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. This network has seen substantial growth, with a total of 28 HTA resource hubs and centres currently operational across the country. JIPMER's Puducherry hub is a key regional player within this expanding national ecosystem.
This award underscores JIPMER's pivotal role in advancing evidence-based healthcare policy in India. By winning national recognition, the institute's HTA hub reinforces the importance of rigorous evaluation in guiding the nation's health investments and strategies towards greater efficacy and equity.
