VELLORE: The National Institute of Health Sciences, Tokyo, Japan and the Vellore Institute of Technology will be undertaking a collaborative research programme to find a solution to the problem of groundwater pollution in the Palar river basin, according to Hiroshi Tokunaga, Director, National Institute of Health Science (NIHS), Tokyo.

This pollution was due to the seepage of chromium caused by discharge of chemical effluents from tanneries in the district.

Inaugurating a two-day national symposium on Recent Trends in Health Science Research organised by the School of Bioengineering and Biosciences at VIT here on Friday, Dr. Tokunaga said research to maintain the good health of people was a welcome step. In many countries this was entirely the responsibility of its government, but such an approach was often unsuccessful, he said. He added that he was glad to see private participation in this endeavour by the VIT. This was a step forward to mitigate the sufferings of people, he said.

Environmental problems

The Director of NIHS said modern civilisation and industrialisation had created many environmental problems.

VIT Vice-Chancellor P. Radhakrishnan said health care was the most important issue in India, which had a population of over 100 crore.

Even in the VIT, on an average, three to four staff members absented themselves every day due to ill health. The country lost much productivity due to the absence of workers in factories on account of ill health. "Therefore, in the interests of the nation, we have to seriously address health issues", he said.

Dr. Radhakrishnan stressed the need to control the quality of drinking water supplied to the people by local bodies. This could prevent disease.

Lazar Mathew, Dean, School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, VIT, also spoke.

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