The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) stands as the apex body for biomedical research in India, operating under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Established in 1911 as the Indian Research Fund Association (IRFA), it was renamed ICMR in 1949. Its primary mandate is to formulate, coordinate, and promote biomedical research, focusing on the country's health priorities.
ICMR conducts and supports research through its network of 26 institutes and centers, addressing a wide range of health issues from communicable and non-communicable diseases to maternal and child health. It plays a pivotal role in responding to public health emergencies, evident in its crucial involvement during the COVID-19 pandemic, where it led efforts in testing, research, and vaccine development.
The council is known for its high-impact research, policy formulation, and setting ethical standards in health research. It collaborates with national and international agencies, fostering innovation and scientific excellence. Programs like the National AIDS Research Institute and the Vector Control Research Centre underscore its diverse research portfolio.
ICMR's initiatives also include capacity building, with training programs and fellowships to nurture the next generation of scientists. Its contributions significantly influence public health policies, making it a cornerstone of India's healthcare research and development.
In a major medical breakthrough, the US FDA has approved a new oral drug for Thalassemia, offering hope for a transfusion-free life. Discussing the development, Dr Sanjeev Bagai, Chairman of Nephron Clinic, states that the drug 'would definitely be a game changer' as it addresses the root cause of beta protein dysfunction. Currently, patients face lifelong challenges with regular blood transfusions, iron overload, and chelation therapy. Dr Bagai highlights that the new oral medication could improve quality of life and reduce costs. Regarding availability in India, he estimates a timeline of six to nine months, pending local trials by the ICMR.
A major global medical breakthrough for thalassemia patients as the US drug regulator FDA approves Mitapivat, the first oral medicine for the genetic blood disorder. This new drug offers hope for a transfusion-free life by treating the underlying problem in red blood cells. Prof. Dr. Sanjeev Bagai, Chairman of Nephron Clinic, explains the significance, stating any medication that corrects the issue at the root cause 'would definitely be a game changer'. The drug could eliminate the need for frequent, costly blood transfusions, which carry risks of iron overload and viral infections. While the approval is a significant leap, the drug is yet to reach India, with Dr. Bagai suggesting it could take six to nine months following local trials by the ICMR.
In this Special Report, India Today explores the growing threat of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in India, following a recent warning by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address. Dr. Devi Shetty, Chairman of Narayana Health, joins the programme to discuss the crisis, noting that ‘antibiotic consumption in poultry and animal husbandry is significantly higher than its utilization in the real patient care’. The discussion highlights how the misuse of antibiotics—both in self-medication and food production—is creating ‘superbugs’ that render common treatments for infections like pneumonia and UTIs ineffective. Dr. Shetty warns that without systemic changes and stricter food safety norms, India faces a future where ‘misuse today means no cure tomorrow’.
Lab tests have confirmed now that contaminated water was the reason behind the Indore water tragedy.
In this special report, the focus is on the growing threat of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in India, a concern recently flagged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his 'Mann Ki Baat' address. The Prime Minister cited findings from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to highlight how antibiotics are losing effectiveness due to rampant misuse. The segment explains how common viral infections like the flu are often incorrectly treated with powerful antibiotics like Azithromycin and Amoxicillin. It also provides a practical guide for viewers to identify prescription-only drugs by looking for the 'Red Line' on medicine strips. The report emphasizes that 'misuse today means no cure tomorrow'.
In the final Mann Ki Baat episode of 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reflected on the year's major achievements, terming 2025 a memorable year for India. He highlighted 'Operation Sindoor' as a symbol of national pride and security, stating that 'today's India does not compromise on its security'. The Prime Minister celebrated Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla becoming the first Indian to reach the International Space Station and noted the Indian women's cricket team's World Cup victory. He also praised cultural initiatives like the 'Kannada Pathashaale' in Dubai and the 'Vande Mataram 150' campaign. Addressing the youth, PM Modi invited participation in the upcoming 'Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue' and commended innovations from the Smart India Hackathon 2025.
The top focus of this episode of 5 Live is on the volcanic ash cloud from Ethiopia's Hayli Gubbi volcano, which erupted for the first time in 12,000 years on Monday, and is travelling towards Indian skies and will hit Delhi skies around 7-7.30 pm on Tuesday.
This special report examines a new oral cholesterol medication, Enlycetide, developed by Merck. The pill, an investigational PCSK9 inhibitor, has shown significant results in Phase 3 trials by reducing LDL, or bad cholesterol, levels. The report highlights the potential impact of this daily tablet on India's widespread cholesterol crisis, where a 2023 study by ICMR and the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation found that a high percentage of the population has abnormal lipids. As per the report, cardiologists are calling this pill the future because 'it is safe, it is affordable, it is needle free and it will also not just lower your cholesterol levels but it will keep it there as well'. The development is significant as it offers a potential oral alternative to existing injectable treatments, though long-term cardiovascular outcome trials are still ongoing.
On this India Today Special Report, Chairperson of the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation and former WHO Chief Scientist, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, discusses why air pollution is a national public health crisis in India. She explains its severe impact on children's health and cognitive development, the shared responsibility across government sectors for taking action, and the urgent need for a collective mindset shift to address this 'invisible' killer. Dr. Swaminathan states, 'Well, don't address air pollution, we're going to have an unhealthy population and we're going to lose that demographic dividend'. The discussion covers the failure of individual protective measures and calls for large-scale, coordinated implementation of existing policies, similar to successful national missions, to clean India's air.
In this episode of Health 360, we discuss the research conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) which indicates that 62% of calories consumed by Indians come from the poor quality of carbs.
With an average Indian using approximately 13.6 kg of oil annually and 80% of households reusing frying oil, the risks of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity are significant.
India is drafting its first-ever National Obesity Guidelines to address what is now a public health emergency, with over one in four adults being overweight or obese.
A significant increase in outpatient visits has been reported at Jaideva Hospital in Mysuru, Karnataka, following a rise in heart attack cases across the state. Thousands of people have been queueing since early morning for medical examinations, particularly for heart-related ailments.
The chief of Jayadeva Hospital has stated that reports submitted to the government show no correlation between COVID-19 vaccines and the recent cardiac deaths in Hassan district, Karnataka. This contradicts claims made by the Karnataka Chief Minister linking heart attacks to vaccines. The hospital chief clarified that while COVID-19 infection itself may have caused an increase in heart attacks and strokes in the early stages due to blood clot formation, vaccines are not responsible for the current incidents. The statement comes amidst an ongoing debate between the Karnataka government and health experts, with institutions like Serum Institute of India, AIIMS, and ICMR refuting any link between vaccines and cardiac deaths.
Medical experts discuss the alleged connection between COVID-19 vaccines and heart attacks, firmly stating there is no scientific evidence to support such claims.
The transcript features a discussion with two medical experts, Dr. Kunal Sarkar and Dr. Subramaniam Swaminathan, about the perceived link between COVID-19 vaccines and heart attacks. They emphasize that there is no authenticated data supporting a correlation between COVID vaccination and increased heart attacks. The experts highlight India's high incidence of cardiac problems due to factors like diabetes, hypertension, and lifestyle issues. They discuss studies showing that respiratory viral infections can trigger cardiac events, and that flu vaccines may actually reduce the risk of death in heart attack patients. The conversation also touches on the need for better recording of vaccine side effects in India and the importance of lifestyle changes to prevent heart problems.
The top focus of this episode of Five Live is on a controversy sparked by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's suggestion that COVID-19 vaccines could be linked to a spike in heart attack deaths in Hassan district. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has refuted these claims, stating there is no evidence connecting the vaccines to heart attacks.
The debate over COVID-19 vaccine safety has resurfaced as Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah links jabs to heart attack deaths in Hassan district. The Health Ministry has rebutted these claims, citing an Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) study that found no evidence linking vaccines to heart attacks.
The chairperson of Fortis and Scott Heart Institute firmly states that COVID-19 vaccines did not cause heart attacks, dispelling recent misinformation.
Antibiotic resistance is a growing global crisis, and it's turning common infections like UTIs, pneumonia, diarrhoea, and blood infections, into life-threatening conditions.
