The inaugration was also attended by the Chief Minister, Shri Yogi Adityanath ; UP Governor, Smt. Anandiben Patel and Secretary, Department of Health Research & DG-ICMR, Prof (Dr.) Balram Bhargava.

Gorakhpur, 7 December 2021: Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the new centre of medical research excellence at Indian Council of Medical Research’s Regional Medical Research Centre Gorakhpur (ICMR-RMRCGKP) in Gorakhpur on December 7, 2021. ICMR-RMRC Gorakhpur has spearheaded the country’s fight against Japanese Encephalitis in the region and succeeded in reducing the incidence of this life-threatening disease through pathbreaking research and interventions.

The new centre at RMRC Gorakhpur is enabled by state-of-the-art infrastructure, which will further expedite the institute’s efforts to enhance health research in areas of viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic diseases. The inauguration was joined by Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Yogi Adityanath; Uttar Pradesh Governor, Smt. Anandiben Patel; and Secretary, Department of Health Research & Director General of ICMR, Prof. (Dr.) Balram Bhargava.

ICMR-RMRC Gorakhpur is the first dedicated biomedical research institute in the Northeast region of Uttar Pradesh. It has played a crucial role in managing Japanese Encephalitis (JE) in Gorakhpur and surrounding areas, which has resulted in the decline in JE-AES cases by 87% in seven districts under the Gorakhpur and Basti division. During the launch, Prof (Dr) Bhargava highlighted the important role of the ICMR-Gorakhpur in leading health research in Gorakhpur. “As the pioneering biomedical research institute in the state, RMRC Gorakhpur is critical in enhancing health research in the region and subsequently ensuring better health outcomes,” Dr. Bhargava was quoted as saying.

The foundation stone of the institute was laid by the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Shri Yogi Adityanath and then the Health Minister Shri Jagat Praksh Nadda. Since then, it has conducted pathbreaking work in developing diagnostics and vaccines for JE/ AES as well as leading COVID-19 vaccination and testing in the northeast region of Uttar Pradesh.

“The new center, constructed at BRD Medical College is equipped with world class facilities aiming to make RMRC- Gorakhpur a State of the Art ‘Centre of Excellence’ for health research and will go a long way in improving the health status of the region,” Dr. Rajnikant, Director, ICMR-RMRC Gorakhpur said.

About ICMR:

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi, is the apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research, is one of the oldest medical research bodies in the world. ICMR’s research priorities align with the National health priorities. These efforts are undertaken with a view to reduce the total burden of disease and to promote health and well-being of the population. ICMR promotes biomedical research in the country through intramural as well as extramural research. Visit us at https://www.icmr.gov.in/

About ICMR-RMRC Gorakhpur:

RMRC, Gorakhpur is one of the 26 Institutes of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), under Department of Health Research (DHR), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare of Government of India. Visit us at https://rmrcgkp.icmr.org.in/