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Clinical research should be a priority in medical profession, Dr. Rath


Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Oct 22, 2017: Dr G.K. Rath, head of the  National Cancer Institute and professor in Radiation Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, delivering the seventh convocation address of Yenepoya University in Mangaluru On Saturday, exhorted young medical professionals to engage more in clinical research to combat non-communicable diseases and added that the Centre is commissioning more world-class Translational Research Centres. Dr. Rath stressed, rise in non-communicable diseases cause of concern today  and  asked graduates to pursue their career in clinical research.


dr gk rath in mangalore


He said it is certain that we now have the arsenal of knowledge and adequate infrastructure to conduct scientific research of international standards. The centres will provide finest research facilities. Degrees like MD-Ph.Ds are being planned to have pool of clinical scientists which is very much required for our country.

He noted that developments in the medical field have increased the average life expectancy from 32 years during the pre-Independence era to 68 years at present, he said.

This has happened following overall improvement in public health measures. The success story includes eradication of some diseases like Smallpox and Polio.

However, non communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, strokes etc, are increasing and account for major causes of morbidity and mortality now, he said.

The magnitude of NCDs is rising in both urban and rural population. Hence, health care professionals have to find ways and means to effectively tackle the dual problem, he said.

One cannot have a “one size fits all” because of the wide variety. However, advancements in biotechnology, information technology and genomics have helped mapping of human genome thereby helping accurate diagnosis of complicated diseases, Dr. Rath said.

The Union government has formulated the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancers, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS). The flagship programme of the Indian council of Medical Research, NCRP (National Cancer Registry Programme) has been expanded to form NCDIR (National Council of Disease Informatics and Research).

On the occasion, of the 7th convocation, as many as 421 candidates from 15 various disciplines got degrees. Wong Jia Hui, Sampritha UC, Merin Joseph, Nijitha Kumari K and Yasir received gold medals in thier respective disciplines. Sampritha UC also received an endowment instituted in the name of late A Raiza, who was a student of first MBBS in 2012-13.