Address at the Dr. B.c. Roy National Awards Presentation Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan

Research Trends in Healthcare

I am indeed delighted to participate in the Dr. B.C. Roy National Awards ceremony. I greet the organizers, awardees and the distinguished guests. I congratulate the award winners. In honouring these personalities who have contributed in removing the pain of many people, we pay our tribute to Dr. B.C. Roy, a distinguished physician, a great statesman and an administrator. He had made invaluable contribution for the removal of human pain during the freedom struggle and also during the post-independent period. I would like to discuss with you some thoughts on "Research Trends in Healthcare."

Universal access to medical care

When I am in the midst of experts in the field of medicine, I am reminded of the famous statement by Norman Cousins in his book, Anatomy of the illnesses, "Patients are today reaching out to the doctor not just for medical help. They are reaching out for kindness, assurance and hope." I would also like to share with you a quote in the paper, which I came across on the topic ?One World, One people, One surgery? by Dr.T.E. Udwadia which states: " The poorest of the poor have as much right as anyone to less pain after surgery, reduced medication, less morbidity, shorter hospitalization, and early return to home, family, and work. Minimal access surgery and the expensive technology it requires, are advocated, not as homage or tribute to new technology, but in appreciation of the manifold benefits this new technology gives our patients and our people." This thought has to be the focus of the researchers and specialists assembled here.

I would like to discuss with you two areas of research: (i) HIV vaccine development (ii) Brain research, which are important in the current societal scenario.

HIV Vaccine Development and Trials in India

India has about 5 million HIV infected people. It is critical that the transmission of HIV infection is prevented to ensure that the epidemic does not worsen. An effective vaccine that can prevent this disease will be a cost effective tool for control of infectious diseases. There are three Sub Types of Viruses classified as A B and C. I understand that Indian population is largely affected by sub-type C virus.

There are two candidate vaccines presently considered for use against sub type C virus in our country. The Indian vaccine is getting ready for trials. In view of the urgency of finding a cost effective vaccine the expert group reviewed the vaccine candidate for HIV sub type C in the pipeline. Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) based vaccine with HIV-1 sub type C (African strain) developed by Targetted Genetics Corp, USA was found to be in advanced stage of test in different parts of the world. This HIV vaccine (tgAAC09) is now undergoing Phase-I trial for safety and immunogenicity assessment in healthy HIV uninfected volunteers at National AIDS Research Institute, Pune.

The Indian vaccine has been developed by scientists from National Institute Cholera and Enteric Diseases in collaboration with National Aids Research Institute, Pune and Therion Biologics, USA. This is a recombinant vaccine containing six genes from HIV 1-C strain. This vaccine was developed from the virus isolated from National Aids Research Institute, Pune. This will go into Phase-I trial in healthy uninfected adults at Tuberculosis Research Centre, Chennai during this year. Both these programme are being progressed as a joint venture between ICMR, National Aids Control Organisation and International Aids Vaccine Initiative. In addition to these two vaccines a DNA based vaccine and SFV vaccine are also under development and it is not known when they will go for trial.

Time has, now arrived to take up this development in a mission mode so that an effective vaccine will be available for our country within the next two years. Simultaneously, I would suggest that the medical community must start working on the development of anti-vaccines for sub-type A and B also.

Brain Research

Recently I was in the Federal Research Institute, Switzerland and interacted with the scientists of Brain Mind Research Laboratory headed by Prof Henry Markram. The researchers in this institute have characterized the neurons and their connectivity in the brain system in order to find a method of activating the dead neurons. This advanced research using a live brain is expected to cure brain disorders caused by the improper functioning of the neurons in certain regions of the brain.

In this connection I would like to mention here the research efforts progressing in Anna University, Chennai by a research student, whom I am guiding. This student will be working with Prof Henry Markram?s lab for a short period. Our effort is to find solutions to the problem of mentally challenged children by activating the neurons either by the use of drugs or growing stem cells or implanting a bio-chip. I would request the Indian medical community and the researchers to provide a thrust to this area so that we can make a significant contribution for the treatment of mentally challenged children.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I would like to tell the medical community that the current developments in Nano technology combined with biotechnology and information technology will revolutionize the drug delivery and treatment and also make full repair and renewal of all organs a reality, leading to a disease free human being. This will be the greatest contribution by the technologists and members of medical community in the 21st century in making the world a better place to live for the mankind. Once again I would like to congratulate all the award winners and my best wishes for your mission of making a healthy India.

May God bless you.