July 17, 2026
In his Hindustan Times column, Vital Signs, OHT’s Dr. Ramanan Laxminarayan explores India’s new draft for national health research policy and shares that it has the potential to strengthen the country’s research ecosystem if it is backed by funding and accountability.
The policy proposes practical reforms to reduce bureaucracy, including faster funding decisions, streamlined ethics approvals, shared access to publicly funded research infrastructure, and better use of health data. It also aims to improve how research is evaluated by recognizing its real-world impact, encouraging collaboration across hospitals and research institutions, and expanding opportunities for clinician-scientists and early-career researchers.
Many of these ideas have appeared in earlier policies that were never fully implemented, as Dr. Laxminarayan suggests that lasting progress will depend on sustained investment, transparent monitoring, and independent oversight. Effective health research policies require not only ambitious goals, but also clear implementation plans, accountability, and long-term financial commitment.
Read it here.
