NIMR is a parastatal service organization under the Ministry of Health established by the Act of Parliament No. 23 of 1979 and became operational in 1980. The establishment of this institute followed the recognition by the government of the need to generate scientific data and information required in the development of better methods and techniques for enhancing disease management, prevention and control in the country. On the other hand, IHRDC (founded in 1957) is a non-for profit, district based health research and resource Centre. The mission of IHRDC is to sustain rural district - based health research and resource center capable of generating new knowledge and relevant information, regarding priority problems in health systems at the district, national and international level through research, training and services aiming at better health and community development.