Pushing for cheap diabetes diagnostic methods: Azad
By IANSMonday, November 15, 2010
NEW DELHI - Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad Monday said he has urged the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to coordinate efforts for affordable diagnostic methods for diabetes.
“I have personally assigned them (ICMR scientists) to coordinate efforts on affordable diagnostic methods for diabetes. I will urge the scientists to put in special efforts as the country needs these technologies now and cannot wait indefinitely,” Azad said at a function to mark ICMR’s centenary celebrations.
Azad also urged the scientists to work on H1N1 vaccines and H1N1 diagnostics.
According the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates, there are about 220 million diabetes patients worldwide. Nearly 50.9 million of them are in India. Around nine percent of the country’s population is expected to be affected by the disease by 2030.
Nov 14 was observed as World Diabetes Day.
“I was updated that the ICMR is concentrating on more than 50 leads for development of new tools for vector control, diagnostic methods for various infectious diseases including dengue and chikungunya,” Azad said.
