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— Ramesh Babu

Dr Prasada Rao (left), NIMS Director, exchanging MoU with Dr J. Gowrishankar (right), Director, CDFD, in the presence of Dr M.K. Bhan, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, in Hyderabad on Monday.

Our Bureau

Hyderabad, Aug. 11

The Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) and the Centre for DNA Finger Printing and Diagnostics (CDFD) have set up medical genetics unit in the NIMS premises here.

The unit would start treating outpatients from Wednesday, Dr J. Gowrishankar, Director, CDFD and Prof M.U.R. Naidu, Dean, NIMS, told newspersons after inauguration of the centre here on Monday.

The objective is to provide services to patients, training students and conducting research in the area of medical genetics. “We are beginning with one faculty but will soon add three more senior professors,” the CDFD director said.

The unit, which would be upgraded into a department later, would provide consulting and treatment for genetic disorders in cytogenetics, molecular and biochemical genetics and foetal medicine, he said.

“CDFD has been offering services in medical genetics for the last ten years on a small scale, while NIMS has no such department. By combining our strengths, we wish to extend the reach of our services,” he added.

Last year, over 2,500 patients approached CDFD for treatment of genetic disorders. Introduction of DM programme for doctors in clinical genetics would also be considered at a later stage, Dr Gowrishankar said.

Prof Naidu, Dean, NIMS said the institute was planning to introduce Ph.D in clinical genetics.

The unit would be funded by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, through CDFD for the first five years.

Dr M.K. Bhan, who inaugurated the unit at the Millennium Block at NIMS premises earlier, handed over a cheque for Rs 1 crore to the NIMS Director, Dr Prasada Rao. Dr Prasada Rao and Dr Gowrishankar formally exchanged a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the occasion.

In Andhra Pradesh alone two to three per cent of children out of 14.44 lakh live birth are born with various genetic disorders every ear.

They include congenital malformations, Down’s syndrome, thalasemia, sickle cell anaemia and amino acid disorders, among others.

More Stories on : Medical Institutions & Hospitals | Andhra Pradesh | Health

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