INDIA – The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has announced that it will establish a postgraduate medical school as well as an 800-bed multi-specialty hospital in its Bengaluru campus.
The institute announced a collaboration with philanthropists Susmita and Subroto Bagchi, as well as Radha and NS Parthasarathy, who donated Rs 425 crore (US$ 56.6 million) to establish the new facilities.
Commenting on this development, Prof Govindan Rangarajan, Director, IISc said, “Their generous contribution will help us realize our vision of seamless coupling between clinical sciences, basic sciences, and engineering technology disciplines, all anchored within a vibrant university campus, enabling cross-disciplinary training and research opportunities for young minds. We hope that this creates a new template for institution building in India, particularly in medical research.”
The amount is regarded as the IISc’s largest single private donation. Bagchi-Parthasarathy Hospital will be the hospital’s name.
According to officials, the academic centerpiece of this initiative will be an integrated dual-degree MD-PhD program aimed at creating a new breed of physician-scientists who will pursue careers in clinical research to develop new treatments and healthcare solutions, guided by a bench-to-bedside philosophy.
They will be trained in both the hospital and the IISc’s science and engineering laboratories at the same time.
The key enabler of this endeavor will be the not-for-profit, 800-bed multi-specialty hospital, catering to the clinical training and research activities of the academic programme.
Archi Medes (I) Consultants Pvt Ltd, based in Ahmedabad, designed the hospital’s structure. The hospital will be fully operational by the end of 2024.
It will have cutting-edge diagnostic, treatment, and research facilities. The hospital’s clinical and surgical departments will enable comprehensive treatment and healthcare delivery in a variety of specialties.
This ambitious endeavor will be a game changer in addressing the country’s future healthcare needs.
The specialty areas include oncology, cardiology, neurology, and endocrinology, gastroenterology, nephrology, urology, dermatology and plastic surgery, organ transplant, robotic surgery, and ophthalmology, among others.
In addition, according to National Medical Commission norms, students admitted in specific MD/MS and DM/MCh programmes will also be trained in appropriate sections of the hospital along with their classroom and laboratory training.
The hospital will also implement advanced digital technologies and solutions, such as integrated Electronic Medical Record systems and a comprehensive telemedicine suite with haptics interfaces.
The impact of the IISc Medical School and Bagchi-Parthasarathy Hospital is expected to go beyond science and solutions, and to set the tone for long-term health goals and policies for the country, as well as to serve as a model of clinical research and training that can be replicated across the country.
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