Indian Armed Forces Medical Services Research on HIV/AIDS

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AFMS clears 110 research proposals at Rs 3 crore

SIDDHARTHA KASHYAP: TIMES NEWS NETWORK [ FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 04, 2005

07:22:03 PM ]

PUNE: The experts committee of the armed forces medical services

(AFMS) this year has approved 110 research projects involving a cost

of Rs 3 crore, with a special focus on hepatitis, HIV and service

requirements on high-altitude conditions and cold injuries. The

committee this year had received as many as 297 research proposals.

Last year, the AFMS had approved 98 research projects at the cost of

Rs 2 crore in areas of cancer, HIV, diabetes and chronic renal

diseases.

Briefing newspersons at the end of the four-day conference at the

armed forces medical college (AFMC), Bharadwaj said the clearance

for another Rs 93 lakh DRDO project has also been approved, which

will involve an in-depth study of the natural history of the deadly

Aids disease in Indian conditions.

" This is a mega project in life sciences in collaboration with DRDO,

and the findings of the study will help in the vaccine development

process, " the director-general said, explaining the study group will

make attempts to find out the reasons as to why the HIV subtype C

strain is more virulent to the Indian population as compared to

those in Africa.

" Moreover, the attempts would also be unravel the mystery of the HIV

infection developing into a full case in about four years, when it

takes as long as about 10 years in the West, " he said.

Referring to an ambitious stem cell project of myocardial

degeneration, which has been approved and will be done at the New

Delhi-located Army Hospital Research and Referral, he said the All

Indian Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has already done a

pilot project on the subject, but has suggested the need for a

detailed study.

He said decks have also been cleared for updating all disciplines in

lines with the advancements world-wide. " Research proposals related

to various fields, have been given priority, " he said.

The director-general further said the four-day meeting also

deliberated upon the shortfall of specialists within the defence

forces, and found out means to " combat the deficiency. "

" From this year onwards, post graduate selections will be done on

service requirements, and not on merit, as followed, " he said,

explaining that this would help in reducing the gap in areas like

surgery and gynaecology.

" We have a shortfall of about 30 surgeons and an equal number of

physicians, besides gynaecologists, " Bharadwaj said, pointing out

that the shortfall is adding to the problem, particularly in forward

areas.

While the army's main cause of worry is that these ailments can

adversely affect combat-worthiness of the troops, senior medial

officers from the three services are exploring the possibility of

undertaking specific research works that will primarily focus on the

preventive aspects.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1011705.cms