Government to set up biotechnology units in all states

Kolkata, April 9 (IANS) The central government is all set to launch biotechnology units in all states to carry out an extensive research programme in the fields of cancer, haematological and other infectious diseases, a senior official said here Thursday.

'The centre, under the department of healthcare research (DHR), will work on the specific issues related to the problems of oncology and haematology and then generate new guidelines for the state health systems,' DHR Secretary V.

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M. Katoch told reporters.

Katoch, also the director general of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), said the policy guidelines, related to the changing patterns of diseases like malaria, were also being worked out by medicos and experts.

Under the banner of the newly formed DHR, the government promises to modernise the medical colleges and research facilities.

Initially, the biotechnology units would come up in one medical college in each state, but later it would be introduced in all state-run hospitals.

'We will set up liaisons offices in all states. Next month onward, we will start writing to the chief secretaries of all state governments to submit their proposals, their specific needs and requirements and problems they are facing in the field of oncology,' Katoch said.

'After October, we will start providing expert training programmes to build such centres which the states might need to counter cancer,' he added.

According to Katoch, the government is now carrying on research to learn the haematological disorders of the vulnerable sections of populations in West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh and Andaman and Nicobar Island.