Centre for Digital Health and Precision Medicine to Set Global Standards in Patient Care

Leicester and Apollo Collaborate to Tackle Healthcare Challenges Through Innovation and Research

The University of Leicester has partnered with The Apollo University and Apollo Hospitals in India to establish the Centre for Digital Health and Precision Medicine (CDHPM). The India hub officially opened on January 20 at The Apollo University campus in Chittoor, which will house the centre’s headquarters. The Leicester hub will be located at the BHF Cardiovascular Research Centre at Glenfield Hospital.

The partnership between Leicester and Apollo began in 2023 with a Memorandum of Understanding to explore joint education and research in healthcare management, healthcare, and data science. In 2024, they launched their first collaborative course, an undergraduate computer science programme, where students study two years at TAU in Chittoor and complete their final year at the University of Leicester. Recently, they announced two additional non-health-related undergraduate programmes in business and management, and electrical, electronic, and information engineering. The Co-Directors of the centre will be Professor Sir Nilesh J Samani, Professor of Cardiology at the University of Leicester, and Dr. Sujoy Kar, Adjunct Faculty at The Apollo University and Chief Medical Information Officer at Apollo Hospitals.

The centre aims to revolutionize patient care by combining the research expertise of its partners to develop innovative digital and personalized solutions using advanced analytical methods. Clinical Medicine research at the University of Leicester was ranked joint 2nd in the Times Higher Education (THE) 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF). The centre plans to become an internationally recognized hub for precision medicine and digital health, focusing on cardiovascular diseases, acute and emergency medicine, and multi-morbidity, leveraging the expertise of The University of Leicester, Apollo, and their partners.

The expected outcomes include better disease prediction, prevention, and earlier detection, diagnosis, and management of both acute and long-term conditions. The partnership will launch several courses in 2025, including one to address the shortage of specialist nurses in India and another to help junior doctors advance their careers. Some students will also have the opportunity to work in the NHS, aiding efforts to tackle the shortage of skilled healthcare professionals.

In 2025, two Masters programmes will be launched for junior doctors from India specializing in clinical education or healthcare management. Through the Junior Clinical Fellowship programme, offered by BAPIO Training Academy (BTA), doctors will spend two years at Apollo Hospitals in India, followed by two years at an NHS hospital in the UK, including University Hospitals of Leicester. They will also study for their Master's via distance learning at the University of Leicester. Two full-time healthcare Master’s programmes will be launched in computational health data science and mental health nursing. The MSc in mental health nursing, aimed at internationally qualified general nurses, will address the shortage of specialist nurses in India. Students will complete a placement at an NHS mental health hospital in the UK, helping to ease the nurse shortage in the NHS.

Professor Nishan Canagarajah, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester, stated that the centre will help Leicester and Apollo build the future of healthcare, with the potential to transform lives globally. He highlighted that combining the expertise of both institutions will enable innovative solutions to major health challenges and that they have begun offering advanced degree programmes to address healthcare expertise shortages in the UK and India. Dr Prathap C. Reddy, Chancellor of Apollo University and Founding Chairman of Apollo Hospitals, stated that the CDHPM reflects Apollo’s commitment to health. He emphasized that the centre aims to transform healthcare delivery by improving disease prediction, prevention, diagnosis, and management. He expressed confidence that these advancements will benefit global patients and shape the future of personalized, data-driven medicine, and shared his joy in launching the centre in his birthplace with the University of Leicester.

Dr Vinod Bhat, Vice Chancellor of Apollo University, said the launch of the Centre for Digital Health and Precision Medicine marks a key step in revolutionizing healthcare through innovation and collaboration. He explained that the centre aims to redefine patient care and set a global benchmark for precision medicine by integrating advanced research and technology. He also noted that the partnership with the University of Leicester strengthens its academic and research capabilities, paving the way for transformative healthcare solutions. Overall, this initiative highlights a shared commitment to tackling key healthcare challenges and preparing the next generation of professionals with the skills needed to lead in a changing medical field.

Editor’s Note:

The groundbreaking collaboration between the University of Leicester and Apollo University to establish the Centre for Digital Health and Precision Medicine aims to become a globally recognized hub for precision medicine and digital health. The centre will focus on key areas such as cardiovascular diseases, acute and emergency medicine, and multi-morbidity, leveraging the combined expertise of both institutions and their partners. By offering advanced degree programmes, including an MSc in mental health nursing designed to address the shortage of specialist nurses in India, the initiative directly tackles the critical healthcare challenges in both the UK and India. By integrating the expertise of both institutions, the centre aims to set new standards in precision medicine and digital health, ultimately improving disease prediction, prevention, and management.

Skoobuzz anticipates that this initiative will address current healthcare needs and lay the foundation for transformative solutions that will reshape the future of medicine.