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Global TB Vaccine Foundation to set up TB lab in Chittoor
Our Bureau
Hyderabad
,
Dec 6
AERAS, a US-based Global TB Vaccine Foundation funded by the Bill Gates Foundation, has decided to expand its operations to India by opening a specialty laboratory for TB (tuberculosis) diagnosis and immunology at Palamaner in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh.
Mr Lawrence J. Geiter, Senior Director (Epidemiology and Site development) of AERAS Foundation, made a presentation to the State Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, here on Monday.
Dr A.J.W. Jacob, Director, Emmaus-Swill Referral Hospital Leprosy and Integrated Project at Palamaner, was also present.
Mr Lawrence told the Chief Minister that his Foundation, which was currently working in South Africa, wanted to extend their activities in India. For this purpose, he wanted to closely study the TB patients through the Leprosy Project at Palamaner.
Stating that newborn babies were in the high-risk group, followed by adolescents of the age group of 12 to 18 years, he said the foundation aimed at developing a better and more potent TB vaccine.
At present only one dose of vaccine was being given to the TB patients. The foundation wanted to develop a booster dose to be given six months after the first dose. He sought Chief Minister's support for the proposed project.
Mr Lawrence said that they would start their activities in the State after getting necessary approvals from the regulatory bodies.
He also expressed the intention to extend their activities in PHCs (primary health care centres) and schools to contain the disease.
The Chief Minister assured the delegation all support from the State Government, a Government release said here on Monday.
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