GUWAHATI: The Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), a biotech innovation hub in Bengaluru supported by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Medical Education & Research Department (ME&RD) of the Government of Assam. On December 11.
The collaboration aims to drive innovation-focused programs, promoting technology adoption by healthcare practitioners, infrastructure upgrades, and capacity-building.
The MoU, signed today at Dispur, Guwahati, was formalised by Taslimarif Saiyed, Director, and CEO of C-CAMP, and Siddharth Singh, IAS, Commissioner and Secretary of the Medical Education and Research Department, representing the Government of Assam.
The signing ceremony took place in the presence of the Health Minister, Keshab Mahanta.
Minister Mahanta expressing the importance of the collaboration, said, "Today is an important day for us. 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."
Saiyed while talking about the event 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."
Three vital healthcare programs have been executed by C-CAMP in Assam, funded by national and international philanthropic organisations. These programs have targeted areas such as maternal and child healthcare, hospital infrastructure, and immunization, including COVID-19 drives. Notably, 307 units of limited-resource respiratory support technology have been implemented, covering the infrastructure requirements for newborn and pediatric critical care in all district hospitals and medical colleges in Assam.
In addition, C-CAMP has deployed 200 electronic temperature-regulated active vaccine carriers across 12 districts to strengthen last-mile cold chain facilities for routine immunization and COVID-19 vaccination. Furthermore, a 54-bedded augmented hospital facility with oxygen support has been established at Uluoni Community Health Center under Simonabasti Block Primary Health Center, Nagaon.
A forthcoming project aims to improve early screening and detection in Retinopathy of Prematurity, a common eye disease affecting premature babies and newborns, through context-specific innovative health solutions.