Swine flu kit developed by India is cheaper & better than that developed by WHO

Scientists of the Defence Research & Development Organisation and Indian Council of Medical Research claim the H1N1 flu testing kit they have developed is more efficient than the one designed by the World Health Organisation.

The Indian kit can analyze a sample within one hour and without Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction, a laboratory technique. Interestingly, while the WHO kit cost Rs 8,000, the Indian one costs only Rs 1,000.

At the 14th convocation ceremony of Nimhans here on Wednesday, Dr W Selvamurthy, chief controller, DRDO Research & Development, said: "The Indian flu kit will compete with the WHO kit as it is more efficient. Currently, technology is being transferred to Bigtech, a Bangalore-based pharma company. With the increase in demand, the technology will be shared with more companies."

"We're awaiting the approval of the ICMR and Drug Controller General of India and it's likely to be launched within the next three months," he added.

Union health & family welfare minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said: "A fallout of the H1N1 flu is that for the first time in India, we're producing the influenza vaccine. Human clinical trials are in process. Most funding is done by private pharmaceutical companies."

In his inaugural address, the minister said: "In the recent budget, the National Rural Health programme allocation has increased from Rs 200 crore in the Tenth Plan to more than Rs 1,000 crore in the Eleventh Plan. Apart from infrastructure, our focus is to enhance human resources. This year, we've added 3000 post-graduate seats and next year, we'll increase it by 4000 seats in government colleges and 2,000 in private medical colleges. A major concern is shortage of mental health professionals; today, we have less than one psychiatrist for 4 lakh population."

State minister for medical education Ramachandra Gowda said: "In India, 70 million people suffer from mental health-related issues, 30 million suffer from neurological problems and 1 million succumb to head injuries. Unfortunately, youngsters in their early twenties are taking to alcohol and tobacco. So, the government is considering introducing yoga in school and college curricula."

Dr Selvamurthy said: "There's a need to focus on prophylactic and preventive care. The recent health ministry decision on introducing a three-year Bachelor's degree in rural medicine and surgery should be appreciated."

He added, "Secondly, like in China, we should integrate allopathy and traditional systems of medicine in all hospitals. Yoga should be introduced in school and hospitals. Allopathy doctors should respect traditional and alternative systems."

He recommended the government start a department of biomedical medical technology under the ministry of health & family welfare. "Every year Rs 15 crore is spent on importing medical equipment. This can be reduced by encouraging production of medical equipments domestically," he suggested.

Recently, DRDO along with Nimhans and PSG College, Coimbatore, developed a critical care ventilator. While an imported ventilator costs Rs 8 lakh to Rs 12 lakh, the indigenous ventilator costs less than Rs 4 lakh. The Karnataka government has ordered 50 units for government hospitals. Azad said district-level medical schools will be started and specialists from district hospital will be involved.

On the delay in selecting a new Nimhans director, he said: "The search committee has received 14 applications. As a state representation came in late, the process was further delayed but it will take a decision soon."

He also inaugurated the neurobiology research centre, college of nursing and ladies hostel for nursing students. The in-charge director Dr S K Shankar said: "During the past year, 4,11,945 patients were treated at Nimhans."

At the convocation, 68 students were awarded degrees and 24 in absentia; eight students were given awards and medals.