Adopt latest technology to lessen disease burden: Prof Padmanaban

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 16

To deal with the heavy disease burden, India has to leverage the advantages of the latest technological developments, said Prof G Padmanaban, former director, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, and president, National Academy of Science, India (NASI), while addressing the PGIMER fraternity on the occasion of the foundation day of the institute.

Prof Padmanaban encouraged the students to innovate and tread the path of modern technology to meet healthcare targets.

“Advances in health technology and data management can help facilitate new diagnostic and treatment options. However, the high cost of targeted therapies, personalised medicine, genetic-based medicine, medical devices and other advances continue to add to the healthcare cost burden, ” he said.

He advocated the increase in portfolio of biogenerics, consolidate global leadership in vaccines, bigger use of herbal and natural products with history of use in traditional medicine, innovation in diagnostic devices, medical instrumentation, mobile health, wearable technologies, big data analytics, stem cell therapy, artificial intelligence and gene therapy.

Earlier, Prof Jagat Ram, Director, PGIMER, welcomed the chief guest and introduced him to the PGI fraternity.

Prof Jagat Ram said, “The alumni of the PGI, through the dint of their diligence and hard work in various institutions across India and the world, have earned accolades and the respect of their colleagues. This is attributable not only to their individual calibre and commitment but also to their training in the PGI.”

“The distinguished teaching faculty is the backbone of the PGIMER. It consists of 500 highly qualified medical teachers who are proficient in their respective specialties. The teaching faculty performs the herculean task of treating patients, training residents and also conducting research,” said Prof Jagat Ram.

“Taking care of an exponentially increasing burden of patients is an extremely difficult task, and it pains all of us in the medical profession to see violent attacks by irate relatives of patients on doctors and other hospital staff, who are often doing their best under highly taxing situations,” he said.

Meanwhile, 22 employees of the PGIMER were honoured on the occasion. They were presented appreciation certificates along with mementoes by chief guest Prof Padmanaban.