India among top 5 government funders of neglected diseases

NEW DELHI - India along with Brazil is among the top five government funders of neglected disease research and development, and and two countries are taking the lead on diseases like leprosy and dengue fever, a new study revealed Tuesday.

The study by Sydney based George Institute for International Health said that nearly $2.96 billion was spent on making new products for neglected diseases in 2008 globally.

“The survey report has put India as the fifth largest public funder of neglected diseases. Visceral leishmaniasis and leprosy are amongst most neglected diseases, and we must further improve our funding for research to find new tools to combat them,” said V.M. Katoch, secretary, Department of Health Research.