In the face of COVID-19 pandemic, MIHM is working closely with several entities at the state and central government to develop insights on the design of effective testing and vaccination systems, which include sample collection and transportation, lab testing capacity and preparedness, estimation of cost of hospitalisation, and development of cost-effective models for vaccination and its rollout. 

In the early days of the pandemic, MIHM undertook studies on the projection of the number of cases in Punjab basis which recommendations on increasing the testing capacity were provided to the state government. Later, studies were undertaken for lifting of lockdown based on the state-level projections. Most recently, we have been invited by the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) to conduct cost-effectiveness analysis on different vaccination roll-out strategies. The institute is currently applying the concepts of behavioural dynamics to understand how it is affecting the Covid-19 vaccination uptake in India. It is also working with PATH on improving access to Covid-19 testing in India through systems strengthening.

MIHM researchers, along with colleagues at Imperial College and ICMR, analyzed the effect of employing intensive testing along with seroprevalence studies to prevent an epidemic surge after post lifting of lockdown and other restrictions. During the lockdown, MIHM conducted 11 webinars on Covid-19 preparedness for hospitals and healthcare organisations, and imparted learning on fast-evolving areas of healthtech and innovation.