MAHE Sets Up ICMR–MAHE Centre for Advanced Research
Manipal, Oct 08, 2025: The Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) has established the ICMR–MAHE Centre for Advanced Research (CAR) at the Manipal Hospice and Respite Centre (MHRC), following the sanction of a ₹12.84 crore grant by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The initiative aims to strengthen research and clinical innovation in palliative and critical care medicine.
The newly inaugurated centre will be headed by Dr Naveen Salins, Professor and Head of the Department of Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care at Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal, as the Principal Investigator, with Dr Arun Ghoshal, Assistant Professor, as Co-Principal Investigator.
The inauguration ceremony was graced by Dr Ashoo Grover, Scientist G and Head, Division of Delivery Research, ICMR, as Chief Guest, and Dr Roopa Shivashankar, Scientist E (Medical), ICMR, as Guest of Honour. Dr H. S. Ballal, Pro-Chancellor of MAHE, presided over the event, with Dr Sharath K. Rao, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Health Sciences), MAHE, serving as organiser. Dr Anil K. Bhat, Dean, KMC Manipal, and Dr Cherian Varghese, Director, Prasanna School of Public Health, were also present.
Dr Ballal described the ICMR partnership as “a national recognition of MAHE’s research culture,” highlighting the university’s commitment to “science that heals and research that transforms.” Dr Sharath K. Rao outlined the broader research roadmap under MAHE’s health sciences division.
The CAR will focus on developing a Multifaceted Comprehensive Appropriate Care Package (MCACP) that integrates palliative care principles into Intensive Care Units (ICUs). The centre builds upon MAHE’s BLUE MAPLE framework, a model pioneered at Kasturba Hospital and KMC Manipal to improve end-of-life care standards.
Expanding this initiative nationwide, CAR will operate through a multi-centre network of 10 clinical centres and seven technical partners. Its interdisciplinary approach—spanning medicine, nursing, law, ethics, and public health—aligns with MAHE’s “One Health–One Humanity” philosophy.
MAHE said the new centre would serve as a national reference hub for ICU and palliative-care research, influencing policy and strengthening India’s healthcare delivery system through evidence-based innovation.
