New Delhi, Feb 28 (IANS): The government Friday approved a scheme to create a pool of talented health research personnel in the country.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the proposal of the health ministry for the scheme at an estimated cost of Rs.5.97 billion, an official release said here.

The scheme intends to create a pool of talented health research personnel in the country by upgrading the skills of faculty of medical colleges, mid-career scientists and medical students through specialized training.

It will also encourage and support trainees to develop and take up research projects for addressing critical national and local health problems and financial assistance to institutions for up-gradation of infrastructure, the release said.

Development and implementation of online web-based courses on health research is also an important component of the scheme.

The scheme provides for grant of 2,585 fellowships for training in India and abroad and development of 1,694 research projects by the trainees during the 12th plan period.

The scheme has a separate component specifically for training of about 240 women scientists who have had a break in their careers and to encourage Non-resident Indians (NRIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIO), Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) serving abroad in health research activities.