Pune: In a major stride towards evidence-based healthcare decision-making, the Department of Community Medicine at the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) in Pune inaugurated the DHR Health Technology Assessment Resource Centre (HTA-RC).

The center, established under the Department of Health Research (DHR), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, aims to advance transparency and innovation in healthcare technology assessment.

The inaugural ceremony was presided over by Lt Gen Daljit Singh, AVSM, VSM, PHS, Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS) and Senior Colonel Commandant of the Army Medical Corps (AMC).

The event was also attended by Lt Gen Sandeep Thareja, SM, VSM**, Director and Commandant of AFMC, along with Maj Gen Giriraj Singh, Dean and Deputy Commandant of AFMC, and several senior dignitaries from the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS).

The DHR HTA Resource Centre is poised to play a crucial role in addressing the growing challenges in healthcare and public health. The center will act as a technical partner and resource hub, not only for the Armed Forces Medical Services but for the broader national healthcare system.

It will focus on evaluating emerging health technologies in terms of clinical effectiveness, cost efficiency, and the social, legal, and ethical considerations associated with their use.

In addition to supporting informed policy-making, the center will help prioritize the integration of new technologies into healthcare delivery, thereby enhancing the quality of medical services in both military and civilian healthcare sectors.

This initiative reflects the government's commitment to utilizing evidence-based methods to drive healthcare advancements, ensuring a robust and technologically up-to-date healthcare infrastructure for the nation.