Rajput’s work could be lost
Kloppenburg is a local lawyer who served 20 years on the University of Saskatchewan’s ethics committee for biomedical research.
More than 40 years of research into movement disorders — such as Parkinson’s disease — at the University of Saskatchewan is at a point of no return if adequate support is not forthcoming.
This support not only includes funding to enable engagement of younger neurologists to carry on the work of the founders but also institutional recognition of the importance of movement disorders research to the stature, success, reputation and public confidence in the college of medicine.
The TransformUS initiative has determined the U of S should focus on what it does really well. This essentially tells the university to go with its winners. It is ironic then that as the U of S seeks to highlight those areas where it might be a global leader, it is in danger of eroding its movement disorders program where it has already gained international reputation and acclaim.
This argument extends beyond the medical and academic context to fundraising. Donors will not support the commonplace. Donors are drawn to exceptional programs with exceptional results. That is exactly what the movement disorders program is.
Failure of government and the university to support movement disorders research will make its assets a target for other medical centres. Naturally, other medical centres want to avoid reinventing the wheel that is operating so effectively at Saskatoon. They are content to relocate our innovation, pioneering discovery and medical success.
The stature of movement disorders research at the U of S has been achieved despite bumps in the road and academic potholes adversely affecting the college. In fact, the program has flourished.
I served on the university committee for research ethics for biomedical research for almost 20 years where I observed the clarity of proposals for movement disorders research. Many references were made to Dr. Ali Rajput’s published work in international journals offering testimony to the outstanding quality of this research. Dr. Rajput has alone contributed more than 300 articles, many representing groundbreaking new information in the field. I also have acted for a donor anonymously contributing $1.5 million to the Dr. Ali Rajput Fund for Movement Disorders at the RUH Hospital Foundation.
Research into movement disorders has had an important clinical and patient care dimension unique to Saskatchewan. Dr. Rajput began his work into movement disorders and Parkinson’s in Saskatchewan when the drug levodopa was new. To gain access to levodopa for his patients, he designed a research program, the first outside Central Canada.
The standard of care for movement disorders patients in Saskatchewan immediately rose above the norm elsewhere in Canada and continues to this day.
Now, that standard of care is in jeopardy.
I have heard anecdotal evidence that Saskatchewan patients seeking care for movement disorders at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., are asked why they aren’t in Saskatoon. That illustrates the pre-eminent international expertise found here.
Research and patient care for movement disorders are closely aligned, to the benefit of Saskatchewan patients. The study of movement disorders at Saskatoon linked patient care to collecting specimens. Such a practical approach is win-win by benefiting patients in real time while enabling research for the benefit of future patients.
As a result, Dr. Rajput built a one-of-a-kind resource for movement disorders research known as the brain bank.
Allowing such rare and valuable research activity based on a unique resource to languish for lack of support will take away from the province the kind of research that has greatly contributed to the stature of the medical college. In a context where the college is criticized for its failure to produce research outcomes, work in movement disorders stands tall. Having published 300 articles presented over 40 years is a number not equalled anywhere in the college by any individual in a single discipline. The college’s resource allocation and support ought to favour research endeavours that have had successful outcomes and established an international reputation.
The success of movement disorders research achieved in Saskatchewan reflects a massive investment of time and public contributions. That investment stands to be lost if funds are not available to recruit new talent in order to continue the founder’s work as he moves to retirement.
Failure to invest new resources for movement disorders research will squander the historic investment of Saskatchewan’s people in this most successful endeavour combining highest standards of patient care and medical research.