Latest news with #GagandeepKang
Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Viral truths
Covid's return not a big worry. But a case in Delhi HC shows what's worrying when it comes to outbreaks It is safe to assume that had Delhi HC not issued a notice to Centre for failing to present in court minimum standards for sample collection, most wouldn't have known that India has no SOP mandated for diagnostic labs. Protocols of course exist, but SOPs are not mandatory. This case has gained traction given the rise in Covid cases. Delhi HC sounded a note of caution. This is despite the fact that GOI, epidemiologists and medical fraternity all agree that given the endemicity of Covid and that almost 70% of the population is fully vaccinated, this round of Covid is little more than 'seasonal flu'. There is no cause for worry. But that is not to say now is not the time for the whole preparedness-shebang to kick in – from wearing masks to surveilling the spread with more testing. Cases are climbing, as are deaths. All deaths have been of those with Covid, not of Covid. Point is, India's burden of comorbidity is massive – diabetes to TB to COPD, chronic kidney disease, and cancer patients & survivors. Against this reality, it's hard to see why Union health ministry wasn't more proactive to Delhi HC's 2023 order to formulate minimum standards for sample collection. It is not about Covid alone. Our healthcare systems must brace for viral outbreaks at any point given the two major challenges today – a dizzying number of dangerous viruses (H5N1, dengue, chikungunya, Nipah, Zika are household terms) and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Preparedness and quick response make healthcare systems more resilient. Govt estimates put Covid deaths at 5.3L. Lessons were learned. Every weak link in public health machinery was exposed. In the three years since, how many of these weaknesses have been fixed? Is surveillance better? Is the expanded virus research & diagnostic laboratory network fully equipped? Variant identification took a long time during the pandemic. Have we fixed that? Surveillance systems, healthcare infra and community engagement ensure public health. Covid may not be a threat, but as epidemiologist Gagandeep Kang put it: 'What we know we don't know is when, where and what our next disease outbreak will be.' An SOP for sample collection and transport seems to be the very least govt can do. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email This piece appeared as an editorial opinion in the print edition of The Times of India.
The Hindu
10-05-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
SCTIMST exemplifies confluence of service, science and policy: Gagandeep Kang
The Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) is unique for it has shown that the trifecta of service, science, and policy can come together for the country, microbiologist and virologist Gagandeep Kang has said. She was speaking at the convocation of the 41st batch of the SCTIMST here on Saturday morning. Dr. Kang, who is now Director of Enteric, Diagnostics, Genomics, and Epidemiology, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, said India had taken the lead in making drugs and vaccines for the world, but that was not the case when it came to diagnostics and devices. About 80% of the devices used in the country were being imported. The SCTIMST was the institute that had done the most to change this situation, but the challenge ahead was to make the industry and the country aware of the possibilities of development and evaluation that existed here. Often, the position was that after transfer of technology it was the industry's responsibility to utilise it. However, industries in the devices field in the country were small companies that would continue to need the support of institutions such as as the SCTIMST, government, and the policymakers so that they could scale up operations. Dr. Kang also questioned why the scaling up seen in drugs and vaccines in the country was not seen in devices. 'I hope what you have here in translation and interdisciplinary collaborations will allow us to work towards this mission.' On the role of the SCTIMST, she said the training that young graduands got here would give them the confidence to think about making a change and that is where innovation would come from. She stressed the need for expertise, interdisciplinarity, and collaboration to pave the way for new developments. Recognising the SCTIMST's strengths in empathy for the population it served and its strong ethics, Dr. Kang said, 'Empathy and ethics is the foundation on which we must build our future.' Former Indian Space Research Organisation chairman S. Somanath who was the chief guest at the event stressed the need for collaboration between institutes such as SCTIMST and those working in the area of space technology, especially as the interest in space travel picks up. Some impacts of the space environment were well-known such as muscular atrophy, bone loss, or psychological issues, but the future offered much possibility in the domain of research on how to deal with long-term space travel, he said. Govindan Rangarajan, director, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, delivered the eighth G. Parthasarathi Oration. Kris Gopalakrishnan, president of SCTIMST, spoke. He also conferred degrees on the graduands on the occasion.
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Sree Chitra Institute convocation tomorrow
Thiruvananthapuram : The annual convocation of Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) for its 41st batch of graduands and the eighth G Parthasarathi Oration will be held on event will be held at Achutha Menon Centre for Health Science Studies auditorium. About 139 senior residents and students will receive their degrees and diplomas during the convocation. The students are graduating after completing their DM, MCh, PhD, MPH, diploma and MS ISRO chairman S Somanath will be the chief guest and will deliver the convocation address. Gagandeep Kang , director of enteric, diagnostics, genomics, and epidemiology at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, will be the guest of honour and will address the Rangarajan, director and professor of mathematics at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, will deliver the G Parthasarathi Oration. Institute president Senapathy Kris Gopalakrishnan will preside over the function and confer the degrees to the graduands.
