With a surge in the number of genetic disorders, Apollo Hospitals Group set up a genomics institute in its Kolkata unit after Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad cities in the country.
The institute in the city will aim at early detection of genetic diseases and treatment.
While speaking in the inaugural programme of the institute on Thursday in the city Dr Preetha Reddy, executive vice-chairperson of the group, said, “India is a highly-diverse heterogeneous country and as a result, genomic medicine could have transformative potential. With decreasing infant mortality rates, genetic disorders are emerging as an important group of diseases. According to a 2021 report by the ministry of health and family welfare the number of diseases in India that are globally recognised as rare diseases encompass around 7,000 to 8,000.”
Elaborating on the increasing demand for genomic medicine, Dr Reddy also said, “Today, as our population gets more health conscious, we’re also seeing increased awareness amongst individuals around the value of genomic tests in the prevention and diagnosis of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and genetic diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disorders amongst others. The expansion of the genomics institute is a critical step towards the prevention and management of NCDs, which continues to be a significant public health challenge in India and around the world.”
Ms Suneeta Reddy, managing director of the group, said “On the back of increasing NCDs, the greater availability of patient-level data helps practitioners better understand the patient journey. This also enables personalisation in medicine by leveraging genetic insights, immensely impacting decisions made regarding the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases. In our newly set up genomics institute in Kolkata, our focus on preventive care and personalised medicine underscores our commitment to a more resilient and healthier society.”