Establishments of the Cochrane India Network: Sharing initial experiences
Background:Cochrane is a global, independent network with members and supporters worldwide. There are official geographic Cochrane Groups in 50+ countries. Moving away from the single centre approach in India, a Cochrane India Network (CIN) was set up in 2021 with nine Affiliate Centers across India.
Objectives:To promote Cochrane and its work in India, to support and develop the community of Cochrane members and to disseminate Cochrane systematic reviews locally based on stakeholder network, the media and other communication channels.
Methods:A Cochrane India Network planning meeting was conducted on February 20-21st 2020, in New Delhi. Nine affiliate centres of the CIN were announced in 2021(https://india.cochrane.org/). An introductory meeting of the Network was held on 14th April 2021 with formal introduction of the teams of the network, introduction to the strategic plans and modalities of functioning. Formal inauguration of the CIN took place on 26th November 2021with participation of members from the Cochrane, WHO, Government of India and the D.G. ICMR. Each of the 9 affiliates has formalized a memorandum of understanding with Cochrane.
Results:Regular meetings with the Cochrane Central Executive member are held to discuss the procedures and activities of the network. On an average four workshops were organized by the 9 affiliates, 50 participants sensitized and trained in each. The ICMR Affiliate has conducted 4 workshops on protocol development, & writing systematic reviews in hybrid mode. An annual meeting of the CIN was organized by SOA at Bhubaneswar. Participating affiliate directors presented the activities of their affiliates.
The ICMR Cochrane Affiliate was entrusted to coordinate 18 systematic reviews on priority questions of ‘NITI Aayog’. 28 systematic reviews to provide answers to existing knowledge gaps in Government’s ‘Anemia Mukt Bharat’ program have been initiated. Collaborative work with the Campbell South Asia has been initiated.
Conclusions:As a result of above efforts the pool of systematic Reviewers in India is steadily increasing. The robust evidence generated through the SRs would guide the national programs for better health care decision making.
Patient, public and/or healthcare consumer involvement:CIN is increasing the use of Cochrane’s evidence in knowledge translation and policy making activities in India that will reflect in better patient care.