department of health research (dhr) was created as a separate department within the ministry of health & family welfare by an amendment to the government of india (allocation of business) rules, 1961 on 17th sept, 2007. the department became functional from november 2008 with the appointment of first secretary of the department. the aim of the dhr is to bring modern health technologies to the people through research and innovations related to diagnosis, treatment methods and vaccines for prevention; to translate them into products and processes and, in synergy with concerned organizations, introduce these innovations into public health system.