C-CAMP Inks MoU With Assam Govt to Strengthen Public Health Infra

Going forward, the three-year pact aims to improve early screening and detection of Retinopathy of Prematurity, a common eye disease affecting premature babies and newborns, through context-specific advanced health solutions.

Bengaluru-based biotech innovation hub, the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Medical Education & Research Department (ME&RD), Government of Assam to strengthen public health infrastructure.

The collaboration seeks to drive innovation-focused programs, promoting technology adoption by healthcare practitioners, infrastructure upgrades, and capacity-building.

Going forward, the three-year pact aims to improve early screening and detection of Retinopathy of Prematurity, a common eye disease affecting premature babies and newborns, through context-specific advanced health solutions.

On the collaboration, Keshab Mahanta, Health Minister, Government of Assam, said, "From the time of COVID, C-CAMP has contributed to and supported us in strengthening public health infrastructure. With this MoU, both the Government of Assam and C-CAMP are reaffirming our commitment to the health sector and look forward to initiating critical projects in health like Retinopathy of Prematurity."

As of now, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) backed innovation centre has executed three vital healthcare programs in Assam, funded by national and international philanthropic organisations. These programs have targeted areas such as maternal and child healthcare, hospital infrastructure, and immunisation, including COVID-19 drives.

The collaboration has also seen the deployment of 200 electronic temperature-regulated active vaccine carriers across 12 districts to strengthen last-mile cold chain facilities for routine immunisation and COVID-19 vaccination.

Expressing his views, Taslimarif Saiyed, director and CEO, C-CAMP, said, "This collaboration with the Department of Medical Education & Research will create an impact by fostering meaningful connections between the innovation ecosystem and clinicians and caregivers in the field. This can change the game for technology adoption to impact public health delivery and accessibility in the state of Assam."

Established in 2009, C-CAMP is an initiative of the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science, Technology and Earth Sciences, Government of India. It is a life sciences innovation hub that brings together academia, industry, and the startup ecosystem on one platform. It acts as the provider and developer of high-end technologies in life sciences to enable scientific activity and entrepreneurship.

In October this year, Union Health Minister, Dr Mandaviya inaugurated numerous health projects in Assam worth INR 1221.51 Cr. The minister laid the foundation stone for a 50 bedded Critical Care Block at Lakhimpur Medical College; Block Primary Health Units at Block Primary Health Centres (BPHCs) of Baithalangso, Harinagar, Saphekhati, and Suakuchi; and Block Primary Health Units at North Guwahati Primary Health Centre under PM-ABHIM.