NITI Aayog forms panel to create a roadmap for transforming AIIMS

Government think tank NITI Aayog has formed a committee to create a roadmap aimed at transforming AIIMS, New Delhi, into a premier institution for medical research and practice.

The mandate of committee led by NITI Aayog member V K Paul involves thoroughly examining the existing systems and processes at AIIMS and proposing significant reforms along with specific timelines for their implementation, the Aayog said in its annual report 2024-25.

The Terms of Reference include identifying ways to streamline patient inflow, developing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to ensure optimal clinical, academic, and research outcomes, enhancing governance and transparency, and recommending strategies for financial prudence, sustainability, and self-sufficiency in managing AIIMS.

The report also said that NITI Aayog, in partnership with CSEP Research foundation has attempted to examine the experiences of various countries that have adopted strategies for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) to gather valuable insights and policy suggestions for India.

"The draft paper proposes a range of multi-faceted approaches addressing both supply-side and demand-side financing aimed at improving healthcare delivery, accessibility, quality, and affordability," it said.

According to the report, this is an ongoing body of work and envisages extensive government and stakeholder consultations to identify potential pathways tailored to India's specific needs and context.

UHC refers to the provision of quality health services to the population without causing financial strain.

Over the years, India has made significant strides in transitioning from a selective approach to health service delivery to a comprehensive primary healthcare system, seamlessly integrated with secondary and tertiary care through its existing infrastructure.

The Ayushman Bharat scheme, launched in 2018, has played a pivotal role in reducing financial burdens for families.

Realising the unavailability of indigenous treatments and exorbitant prices of drugs imported for rare diseases, NITI Aayog undertook an effort to improve the accessibility and affordability of drugs for rare disease patients in India through fast-tracking indigenously manufactured dosage forms (small molecules) for selected rare diseases.

Under this effort, it said four drugs have already been made available at affordable costs that are 1/60th to 1/100th the cost of the imported drugs. Four more drugs are under process for obtaining necessary regulatory approvals and will be made available at affordable costs, likely by the end of this year.

For the management of Sickle Cell Disease, a syrup formulation of Hydroxyurea is also under the process of approval, the annual report said.