*Jan 21, 2011* *Bangalore*: To ensure enhanced research and service delivery apart from manpower development in the field of mental health and neurosciences, the Union Health Ministry proposed to set up four more institutions similar to the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) in the country.
This was announced by the Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad here on Thursday. Speaking after inaugurating an “Advanced Brain Imaging” facility at the Cognitive Neurosciences Centre in the hospital, Mr. Azad said the proposal would be included in the 12th Five Year Plan. Pointing out that he had asked NIMHANS Director to prepare a report on the budget required to implement the proposal, the Minister said adequate allocations would be made accordingly. “NIMHANS will be upgraded on the lines of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) for better research and manpower development. To enable this, we plan to set up more institutions similar to NIMHANS. One centre each will be set up in Central, Northern, Eastern and Western parts of the country,” the Minister said. Calling upon the faculty at NIMHANS to focus more on research, the Minister said: “During the outbreak of Influenza (A) H1N1 in the country, we had to import drugs and testing kits. The main drawback was we had only two laboratories. But within a year, we were able to develop our own vaccines and set up 38 more laboratories. Now our drugs are better and cost effective than those we imported.” *Diabetes screening* With India soon turning into the diabetes capital of the world, the Ministry was planning to screen 50 crore people in the country for the condition in the next four years. “We have identified 100 remote districts and 30 cities where people will be screened for diabetes. As not all of them can afford to get follow-up treatment by visiting hospitals, it would be better if cost-effective glucometers are developed. The meters can be used by people to check their sugar levels on their own,” he said. Mr. Azad concluded saying: “Our scientists should work hard and succeed in providing affordable drugs and capture the entire globe.” Later, the Minister visited the departments of Psychiatric and Neurological Rehabilitation and Child Psychiatry. He also visited the Neuro Centre and Neuro Pathology museum in the hospital. Medical Education Minister S.A. Ramdas, NIMHANS Director P. Satishchandra and Registrar V. Ravi were present. http://www.thehindu.com/2011/01/21/stories/2011012165321000.htm -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Mental Health Advocacy (News 'N Views) India" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/MhaNewsViewsIndia?hl=en ------------- Affiliated Groups : MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY INDIA [email protected] Discussions on mental health law / policy / plan monitoring / human rights etc [email protected] India-specific news and views related to mental health [email protected] Information and support to carers of people with mental health issues [email protected] Mutual support and sharing of experiential knowledge, skills and social learning amongst peers
