The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Paediatricians urged to prepare database on health

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jan 23, 2009
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Paediatricians urged to prepare database on health

Staff Reporter

Madhavan Nair inaugurates ‘Pedicon 2009’

‘Chandrayan was a successful mission to moon’
7,000 paediatricians attending the four-day meet

Bangalore: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman Madhavan Nair on Thursday advised doctors to study and prepare an indigenous database on the prevalence of health problems in India and accordingly do research for treating them.

Mr. Nair was inaugurating “Pedicon 2009”, the 46th national conference of Indian Academy of Pediatrics.

He said most research work in the medical field was being based on worldwide figures. “Lack of proper database is affecting treatment of various emerging health problems. It is essential to prepare a local database and encourage research and development in the particular field,” he said.

Pointing out that illiteracy and lack of awareness were the root causes of ill health and infant mortality in India, Dr. Nair said awareness about health issues should be created among the rural masses.

“We should focus on providing modern and affordable healthcare to the rural people. ISRO has already used satellite imaging in the past to connect 2,000 villages of central India to the nearest hospitals. Telemedicine can be used to the best possible extent for the benefit of the rural people,” he said.

Dr. Nair said: “Chandrayan” was a successful mission to the moon. “Scientifically we have the best pictures of the moon and the entire lunar surface. The pictures are of high resolution and we will use them to prepare a clear and detailed lunar map by next year,” he added.

President of Indian Academy of Paediatricians (IAP) Panna Choudhury set an agenda for the participating paediatricians to promote child health in their areas. “We want to give a boost to routine immunisation through the Academy and I urge you all to take up a leadership role on promoting child health and reducing infant mortality,” he said.

More than 7,000 paediatricians are participating in the four-day conference that is aimed at redefining the need for expanded immunisation schedule and improved coverage.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka