About us:
Cochrane Evidence Synthesis Unit (CESU) India is a newly established initiative led by Prof. Meenu Singh, Executive Director & CEO of the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Rishikesh. Prof. Singh is a pioneer of Evidence-Based Medicine in India who has made remarkable contributions to the field and was instrumental in establishing the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Advanced Centre for Evidence-Based Child Health at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh and the Centre for Evidence Synthesis and Public Policy at AIIMS Rishikesh. Our aim for the unit is to help advance high-quality evidence synthesis to inform health policies and improve public health outcomes.
Our unit will work with the broader Cochrane India Network to build capacity through workshops, systematic reviews, and policy prioritization sessions. By fostering evidence-based decision-making, the CESU aims to enhance the health and well-being of individuals across India and beyond. The unit draws its core team from the various affiliate centres of the Cochrane India Network, along with independent evidence synthesis agencies, including Campbell South Asia, National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Ayog.
Experience and expertise:
- Methods: Our unit excels in a range of methods, including Interventional Review, diagnostic test accuracy and Network Meta-Analysis. Together, these methods contribute significantly to a deeper understanding of healthcare interventions in the region and more widely, enhancing the ability to deliver effective and efficient care.
- Topic Coverage: The Cochrane India Evidence Synthesis Unit is highly specialized in a wide array of evidence synthesis areas. It excels in systematic reviews of interventional studies and diagnostic test accuracy, offering valuable insights into the effectiveness and trustworthiness of medical treatments and diagnostic tools. The CESU is also adept at conducting epidemiological studies and prevalence research to understand the spread of diseases and health conditions in different populations. Other significant areas of expertise include network meta-analysis for comparing multiple interventions and qualitative studies that investigate patient experiences and viewpoints. The unit is engaged in health economic research to assess the cost-effectiveness of healthcare solutions. Additionally, the CESU contributes to evidence gap maps, umbrella reviews, and scoping reviews, which are essential for identifying knowledge gaps and summarizing existing evidence across various healthcare fields.
- Wider Networks: Unit has access to a broad network of expertise that extends beyond our own team, leveraging the combined strengths of the Cochrane India Network and the Campbell Collaboration. This extensive network will enable strong ties with both national and international organizations, boosting the unit's ability to address a wide variety of health topics.
Working in partnership:
As the backbone of our CESU, the Cochrane India Network has successfully secured funding from major agencies, including the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and the Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology (UCOST). These collaborations provide our unit with access to specialized expertise, enhance its research capabilities, and uphold the highest standards in evidence synthesis. Through these strategic partnerships, the unit is well-equipped to tackle a diverse range of complex healthcare challenges, offering valuable evidence to support informed health policymaking and improve public health outcomes.
The Cochrane India affiliate centres are at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, Christian Medical College, Vellore, ICMR New Delhi, Indian Institute of Public Health, Hyderabad (IIPH), Institute of Dental Sciences, Bhubaneshwar, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) Manipal, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh Public Research Assistance and Support for Health Outcomes Hyderabad, and Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai.
Team:
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