2nd LRAC Meeting of MRHRU Madurai -2025
The 2nd Meeting of the Local Research Advisory Committee (LRAC) for the Model Rural Health Research Unit (MRHRU), Madurai, mentored by ICMR-NIRT, was held on 5th December 2025, at Hotel La Vivanta, Madurai, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, with about 70 participants in attendance.
The meeting began with a warm welcome by Dr. K. Priyanka, Project Scientist, MRHRU Madurai. The Dean of Madurai Medical College delivered the opening remarks, appreciating the productive efforts of MRHRU Madurai in encouraging faculty from Madurai Medical College to develop high-quality research study proposals. In his special address, the Director of Public Health (DPH), Tamil Nadu, expressed that DPH would continue to extend its support to MRHRU Madurai in collaborative research proposals, study conduct, and policy changes as appropriate.
The Director of ICMR-NIRT delivered the keynote address, informing that ICMR-NIRT will continue to develop MRHRU Madurai as per guidelines and requested the investigators to plan research proposals that would directly benefit people at the ground level, emphasizing the importance of "research with the people." The Chairperson of LRAC appreciated the topics presented in the meeting and insisted that Principal Investigators have a robust plan for their research proposals.
An update on MRHRU-Madurai's activities and ongoing studies was presented by Dr. Ramesh Kumar, Scientist ‘F', ICMR-NIRT & Nodal Officer-MRHRU Madurai, followed by discussions on the progress and proceedings of the ongoing studies. Four new research proposals were presented to the committee by the respective principal investigators, and the committee provided inputs to be incorporated before final approval.
The meeting also included an in-house discussion on drafting Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for MRHRU Madurai activities, including the research proposal submission process, chaired by the LRAC Chairperson and Director, ICMR-NIRT. Mr. K. Ramesh, Technical Officer, ICMR-NIRT Madurai unit, delivered the vote of thanks, followed by lunch.
