Lure of the lucre make Indian researchers turn a blind eye to research on tropical diseases

Chennai:

Research in parasitology diseases in India is most neglected as researchers preferring greener pastures devote more time on getting funds from the West to find cure to the diseases prevalent in developed nations, according to experts.

As only .9 per cent of funds from eight Indian scientific funding agencies is being utilized during the last three years, a top Indian official slammed the lack of sincerity by scientists.

At the 23^rd National Congress on Parasitology here on Friday, Indian Council of Medical Research director general Dr V M Katoch said that there is ample money but no projects.

“There are so many antigens discovered in India but then there is lack of sincerity from scientists,” he rued while stating that the nation requires champions to choose the target and pursue them.

“These are the diseases that affect the poor of the nation and the researchers are not interested in it,” he said.

Dr P Kaliraj, dean of Alagappa College of Technology Campus, Anna University said the crisis in tropical diseases research is felt due to young researchers preferring to do pursue research on diseases like cancer where they get more funds and recognition from West.

Interestingly, this has also resulted in the innovation of new drugs. Dr S L Hoti, head of microbiology and Immunology division of Vector Control Research Centre in Puducherry said that hardly any drug has been added to the arsenals of medical shop to combat parasites and pathogens.

Interestingly, Anna University is one of the few institutes who have been utilizing the funds to the optimum, says Kaliraj. He said that they have already finished using the grant of 10 crore from department of biotechnology. He also said that the state has is emerging victorious in eradicating Filarai. “We are 98 per cent successful and will eradicate the disease in the next five years,” he said.

Earlier, talking to reporters Katoch said that the government is setting up 43 new molecular labs to combat tuberculosis. “twenty-seven of them have come up,” he said.

He also said the superbug issue is overplayed by the West nad smacks of ulterior motives. “Why would they pinpoint India. It is done out of commercial interest as India was emerging as a most favourable destination for health tourists,” he added.