National Health Authority and IIT Delhi Will Collaborate to Tackle COVID-19

The National Health Authority has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi. The resurgence of the pandemic alongside newly emerging genetic variants of the disease has caused a great deal of concern from healthcare experts across the world. Thus, this partnership aims to bolster the country’s resources and infrastructure in the ongoing battle against COVID-19. Henceforth, the National Health Authority will serve as a technical collaborator with the SAMRIDH Healthcare Blended Financing Facility.

SAMRIDH, a non-profit organization, provides financial resources to underdeveloped and in-need portions of the Indian healthcare system. USAID (US Agency for International Development) is an overseer and a vital stakeholder of the NGO. Earlier in the year, SAMRIDH accumulated over USD 100 million in capital funding through contributions from both the private sector and development entities. Authorities plan to utilize the funds for grants and debt finance for healthcare organizations and spearhead developers.

Therefore, both IIT Delhi and NHA plan to support healthcare innovations in the fight against COVID-19 through their partnership. In addition, funding will be available for Ayushman Bharat Yojana (AB PM-JAY), India’s national subsidized healthcare network. This crucial assistance will enable the growth of more than 23,000 Ayushman Bharat Yojana-affiliated hospitals. Moreover, funding will allow recent advancements in COVID-19 care to be available for thousands of patients in need. The country’s healthcare infrastructure has suffered continuous blows throughout the pandemic, with several necessary tools and practices being tested through mass shortages and blockades. Consequently, SAMRIDH’s “health for all” approach can cause significant improvements to the still-high mortality and low vaccination statistics.

Leadership Response to National Health Authority/IIT Delhi Collaboration

In an interview regarding the partnership, the CEO of the National Health Authority, RS Sharma, has stated continual support for the recent developments. As quoted, “We will work with diverse health sector players to scale high potential health solutions and amplify impact… This partnership will be a key enabler in making quality healthcare services in India more accessible and affordable.”

The director of IIT Delhi, Prof V Ramgopal Rao, has also remarked on the capacities of the collaborative effort. As quoted, “We welcome this opportunity to work with the NHA to deconstruct the key challenges in delivering healthcare services… and to support enterprises in addressing the gaps with indigenous innovations.” The director has also stated the intention to support mentorships within the medical industry, including the technology, business, and clinical sectors.