The Knowledge Management Policy for Health Services, Education and Research has been approved by the government and action has been initiated by the Department of Health Research (DHR) for setting up of necessary infrastructure for implementation.

The policy would catalyze creation of knowledge and translation of that knowledge from research setting to real world application in order to improve the health of common man specially marginalized sector of our society. The focus of the policy would be creating an environment for connecting knowledge related activities in health into a coherent action plan. It will develop an efficient health knowledge management system for collection, dissemination and utilization of knowledge for improving the quality of health services, education and research.

In order to create harmony among various health service providers and to impart their knowledge and services to the public at all times, the policy proposes to empower the end user for better access to health service by making available updated information about the service infrastructure such as manpower, equipment, medicines etc. available at different levels e.g. sub-centre, primary health centre, community health centre, district hospital, zonal hospital, medical college and other tertiary care hospital etc..

The policy also proposes for providing online information about functional status of the infrastructure i.e. availability of doctors, medical supplies including devices, vacant beds, surgical/medical/diagnostics facilities etc. at a given time; providing information about geographical locations and other logistics of various health service providers; promoting overall user awareness about available information sources by training of end users; promoting access to financial resources including insurance; and ensuring access to all sections of society.

For increasing accountability of healthcare professionals and services towards human life the policy proposes to develop a well defined referral system for efficient utilization of resources between Central, state and other public/private healthcare providing institutes and to create a mandatory forward and back referral pathway over a period of five to 10 years.

Responsibilities of every individual in the pathway to be enforced to ensure perfect accountability involving human life.

For policy framing, strategy planning and monitoring of the policy, an expert advisory group under the chairmanship of the Secretary, DHR will be constituted to examine the policy document and modify it if necessary; to decide the priority areas; and to classify the priority areas into short term, midterm and long term goals for implementation.

Besides, three technical sub committees will be formed in the areas of service delivery, education and research.