India
Medical Education & Research Needs Resurrection In India - Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss
By Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India
Oct 17, 2005, 18:57

Indian Government is planning to reorient medical education and research in the country, taking into consideration the latest developments in the health sector worldwide as well as remove the lacunae in the present system. This was disclosed here today by the Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss, while receiving a Report from Dr. K. Kasturirangan, who headed the Performance Appraisal Board constituted to review the working of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

Accepting the Report, Dr. Ramadoss said that the recommendations made in it will go a long way in strengthening and improving health care and delivery system in the country. He said Medical Research has to be made more active especially, with the surfacing of new diseases and viruses as well as bacteria etc. becoming virulent. The Minister also spoke of making ICMR a full-fledged Department to have more functional autonomy. He also wanted increased Budget allocation for Medical Research.

Presenting the Report, Dr. Kasturirangan said the recommendations will help remove the shortcomings and make ICMR a top class Research Institution. Later, replying to queries on Bird flu, the Minister said that action has already been initiated and suggestions sought from WHO to meet any exigencies. He said A Facility is being set up for the manufacture of influenza vaccine and production-cum-procurement of anti-viral drugs. District hospitals are being geared up to meet any emergency cases of Bird flu, he said.

Replying to a pointed question on the sting operation conducted by a private television channel on corruption in Medical Council of India, the Minister, Dr. Ramadoss said that he has been receiving complaints from various quarters, including Members of Parliament about this and he underscored the need to clean up MCI and renew Medical curriculum. Indian doctors are wanted everywhere, but the Medical education and research will have to be transformed in such a way that our doctors become top class in the World. An enquiry will be conducted into the corruption incident exposed by the channel and the MCI will be made more transparent, the Minister added.

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