NITI Aayog has formed a dedicated panel to draft a strategic plan for elevating AIIMS, New Delhi, into a leading center for medical research and healthcare excellence.
As per the think tank’s 2024-25 annual report, the committee, led by NITI Aayog member V K Paul, will thoroughly evaluate AIIMS’ current operational structure and suggest crucial improvements, along with a timeline for implementation.
The panel’s objectives include optimizing patient management, establishing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to enhance efficiency in medical, academic, and research domains, improving governance mechanisms, and proposing financial strategies to ensure sustainability and self-reliance.
Additionally, NITI Aayog, in collaboration with the CSEP Research Foundation, has been analyzing global models of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) to gather insights that can help shape India’s healthcare policies.
“The study outlines a range of strategies focusing on both healthcare supply and funding mechanisms to boost accessibility, quality, and affordability,” the report mentioned.
This ongoing project involves consultations with government bodies and key stakeholders to devise approaches tailored to India’s healthcare needs. The goal of UHC is to ensure that all individuals receive quality medical care without facing financial distress.
India has made considerable progress in transitioning from a selective healthcare approach to a more comprehensive system that integrates primary, secondary, and tertiary care. The Ayushman Bharat initiative, launched in 2018, has been instrumental in easing financial strain on families seeking medical treatment.
To address the high cost and limited availability of medicines for rare diseases, NITI Aayog has taken steps to fast-track the production of domestically developed treatments.
So far, four such drugs have been made accessible at prices dramatically lower than imported alternatives—costing just 1/60th to 1/100th of their foreign counterparts. Another four medicines are currently undergoing regulatory approvals and are expected to be released by the end of the year.
In addition, a liquid formulation of Hydroxyurea, used for managing Sickle Cell Disease, is also under review for approval, the report stated.
