The Department of Health Research is in the advanced stage of preparing a draft 'tripartite research policy' and mechanism to co-ordinate, implement, and streamline the research activities being carried out under different departments now.

As part of the proposed tripartite research policy, a National Health Research Management Forum will be formed with the minister for health as the chairman and health research department secretary as the convener. The other members will include, the secretaries in the ministry of health, departments of Ayush, DST, Biotechnology and DSIR, among others including representatives from the industry and three eminent health scientists.

The policy and co-ordination mechanism will involve the departments of health and family welfare, Ayush and health research. The modalities are being worked out and the draft is expected to be finalised very soon, sources said. Though the government had earmarked an allocation of Rs 20 crore during the current financial year for the purpose, it could spend barely around Rs two lakhs to work out the plan so far.

"As the department was into the first year of operation, lots of other pressing works were there. So it could not focus much on this aspect. This time the government has allotted Rs 1.50 crore and we hope to put in place a draft plan at the earliest," an official with the department said.

Against the revised estimate of Rs 567 crore for the functioning of the department, the recent budget has set apart Rs 606 crore for the next financial year. This includes Rs 420 crore from the Plan fund.

The Planning Commission had allotted Rs 4496 crore for the 11th Five Year Plan with a view to give a fillip to the medical research in the country.

Indian Council of Medical Research, the main arm of the department, will spend Rs 554 crore out of the total allocation for the next year.

It is slightly above the revised estimate of Rs 525 crore of the current fiscal. The ICMR will promote, coordinate and formulate biomedical and health research through different programmes. Central government gives maintenance grants to the Council for research in communicable diseases, contraception, maternity and child health, nutrition, non-communicable diseases and basic research. The Council is also engaged in research on tribal health, traditional medicine and publication and dissemination of information.