HIMAT to combat infectious diseases

PD Hinduja Hospital, DAIDS to set up Centre of Excellence

With an aim to establish a center of excellence for infectious diseases research in India and to facilitate the strengthening of clinical research capabilities in the country, PD Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Centre (MRC), Mahim is all set to establish the Hinduja Institute for Medical Research and Training (HIMAT).

PD Hinduja Hospital signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with The Division of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) on Saturday to address the issues of Tuberculosis (TB) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Meanwhile, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) which is a part of the National Institute of Health (NIH), U.S. Department of Health and Services will be assisting in training and scientific exchanges for HIMAT affiliated researchers in NIH or NIH associated institutions.

The LoI was signed with a pledge to address the growing burden of infectious diseases including TB and HIV. Vinoo Hinduja, managing trustee of PD Hinduja Hospital said, “This is a moment of pride for both Institutes NIH and us as we are laying the foundation of partnering and gifting to the world a platform of US/INDO scientists working together to transform healthcare in six core disease areas- Cardiac Sciences, Neuroscience and Mental Health, Diabetes, Pulmonary Medicine, Oncology and Musculoskeletal/Trauma along with Infectious and chronic diseases. With this, we are taking a step further to bring contributors to the subject of TB together under one roof along with The Division of AIDS (NIAID, NIH).”

PP Hinduja, founder member of PD Hinduja Hospital, said, “TB is one of the greatest health challenges as India is home to more people ill with TB than any other country. Ending TB can only be achieved through multidisciplinary approach and with greater collaboration within and across governments. We believe that outcomes of the workshop will contribute to overcoming challenges and bringing down the cost of TB treatment in India and globally.”