The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : UK delegation on mission to explore avenues of cooperation in health care

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Tuesday, Jun 28, 2011
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

UK delegation on mission to explore avenues of cooperation in health care

Special Correspondent

Representatives of 16 universities are in Chennai as part of tour to the sub-continent

— Photo: R. Ragu

(From right) P. K. Mohapatra, past chairman,

CHENNAI: Representatives of 16 universities from the United Kingdom were in Chennai as part of their tour to the sub-continent to scout for opportunities to have research, training and exchange programmes with the city's hospitals and medical colleges.

In a seminar jointly organised by the UK Trade and Investment, The Training Gateway UK, and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) here, the teams outlined their objectives of the visit and interacted with leaders of several medical colleges, and hospitals. The delegation comprised 26 members, from schools of health, life sciences, nursing, and midwifery, community and child health.

Mike Nithavrianakis, British Deputy High Commissioner in Southern India, said “UK universities, colleges and companies are no stranger to the health care sector across India. Apollo Hospitals, Rajan Eye Care, M.V. Diabetes, India Diabetes Research Centre, Shasun Chemicals, and Orchid are some of the institutions in the region with diverse links with the UK's healthcare sector.”

P.K. Mohapatra, past chairman, CII (Southern Region), said the Mission comes at the appropriate time. By 2020, the Indian health care industry is likely to be worth US $ 275 billion. Between 2009 and 2012, the health care spend of the GDP has risen – from 5.5 per cent to 8 per cent. From the beginning, the country has been quite dependent on the private sector, where almost 75 per cent of the spending lies.

Sudha Seshayyan, Registrar, Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University, explained the structure of the Indian medical/dental and allied medical sciences courses in the State. She also assured the support of the university to the visiting team, particularly in the area of allied health sciences.

Amanda Selvaratnam of The Training Gateway said the visitors brought a wealth of expertise in the health and allied sciences, biomedicine, occupational and community health and training, among others. The aim was to establish mutually beneficial partnerships, research tie-ups and exchange of P-G students.

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