PGI to get R 350 cr for diagnosis, treatment of genetic disorders

The Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) will be allocated a grant of ` 350 crore for setting up a centre of excellence that would be used to develop a mechanism for early diagnosis and treatment of rare genetic disorders in children.

Sources in the PGI confirmed that the central health ministry had already submitted a proposal in this regard in January earlier this year. The proposal is expected to receive clearance after the elections.

Former health secretary Keshav Desiraju, along with noted genetic expert Dr IC Verma, had put forward the suggestion to the Cebtral government to work on a corpus fund for setting up a dedicated centre for research and treatment of debilitating genetic disorders like fabry, pompe, gaucher and other lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs). Lysosomes occur due to the deficiency of specific enzymes in lysosomes of cells.

The fund would be used to develop SGPGIMS on the line of the other major centres,

THE FUND WOULD BE USED FOR SETTING UP A DEDICATED CENTRE FOR RESEARCH AND TREATMENT OF DEBILITATING GENETIC DISORDERS LIKE FABRY, POMPE, GAUCHER AND OTHER LYSOSOMAL STORAGE DISORDERS

including All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, Maulana Azad Medical College New Delhi and PGI Chandigarh.

Experts say that due to lack of awareness among medical practitioners and the masses in general about such disorders there is a delay in diagnosis of such genetic diseases. This in turn could reduce the chances of survival in patients.

Besides, the treatment of such disorders are generally costly and the per annum cost could range from Rs50 lakh to Rs2 .5 crore. In India there are around 400 patients who are deprived of treatment due to lack of funds.