Promote public-private partnership in medical research:MoS PMO

New Delhi, Sep 3 (PTI) The public-private partnershipneed to be promoted in medical research in order to tap andgroom young medicos with research aptitude, Union MinisterJitendra Singh said today. At a conference attended by Health ministers fromdifferent African countries, medical researchers and seniorscientists, Singh suggested setting up of Indian Council ofMedical Research (ICMR) units in private-sector medicalcolleges and institutions. He said that a mutually rewarding mechanism could beworked out wherein, while the private institutions having ICMRor other registered research body units could be rewarded withcertain incentives, on the other hand ICMR would have theadvantage of tapping and grooming young medicos with researchaptitude. Over the years, not only the spectrum of medical researchhas undergone a change, but the methodology has also changed,said Singh, Minister of State in Prime Minister’s Office. For example, he said, till 1970s and 1980s the mainthrust of research was on communicable diseases liketuberculosis and sexually transmitted diseases, wherein Indiamade a historic contribution by giving to the world some ofthe most original postulations. "However, in the last two decades, the spectrum hasshifted to non-communicable diseases and now the research hasto be primarily focused on metabolic diseases like Diabeteswith a specific and exclusive Indian perspective. "At the same time, he said, the methodology has alsoundergone a change and wherein till 20 years ago, a youngscholar had to run from pillar to post in search of referencesand medical journals, today, the best of reference andresearch papers from the rest of the world are available oninternet," an official release said. He was addressing the valedictory session of the 3-day"India-Africa Health Sciences Meet". Singh appreciated the India-Africa initiative in thefield of health sector and hoped that various research andeducation groups to be constituted will play a significantrole in promoting the understanding of healthcare and researchbetween African continent and Indian sub-continent. PTI AKVRG