Indian Council of Medical Research

A public-private national project in India has introduced what could be the country's first comprehensive cancer multi-omics database fifteen years after its founding. The Indian Cancer Genome Atlas (ICGA) focuses on studying cancer biology specific to the Indian population to create datasets that can be utilised in developing personalised treatment protocols Based on a media release, the open-access ICGA portal initially includes clinically annotated data on DNA, RNA, and protein profiles of breast cancer patients, along with their treatment histories and outcomes. By next year, the available data will be expanded from the current 50 patients to over 500. "This data is freely accessible to the global research community under India’s PRIDE guidelines, which promote ethical sharing and collaboration in cancer research," a press statement noted. The portal was built based on the cBioPortal for Cancer Genomics platform developed by the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. THE LARGER TREND Health and medical researchers in India have long relied on databases from global sources. "Historically, cancer treatments in India have been based on Western data sets. However, cancers in Indian patients can differ significantly at the molecular level," the ICGA said. Two years ago, India's peak body for biomedical research, the Indian Council of Medical Research , started building datasets representing Indian diversity. These datasets, for one, will underpin the development and integration of AI technologies in healthcare. In 2023, India recorded over two million new cases of cancer – the third highest in the world. Late detection and poor intervention are reportedly driving this trend. Digital technologies have been identified as one solution to address India's growing cancer problem. The Koita Centre for Digital Oncology established by the government-backed National Cancer Grid is one of those centres established to promote the digitalisation of cancer care in the country. ON THE RECORD "Cancer touches all of us, and the need for more effective, personalised treatments – especially tailored to the unique genetic and environmental factors in India – is urgent. This portal will empower researchers with crucial data to advance customised cancer research for better treatment outcomes," Dr Anand Deshpande, a non-executive director of ICGA, commented.

A nursing training facility in India has recently opened, which could be the first to be augmented by virtual reality technology. Healthcare VR developer MediSim VR has partnered with Kusum Dhirajlal (KD) Hospital to establish the Virtual Reality Health Lab. WHAT IT'S ABOUT Located at the 300-bed multispecialty hospital in Ahmedabad, a city in the western state of Gujarat in India, the nursing skill training centre is equipped with VR simulators that provide an immersive real-world-like environment for practising medical procedures and developing clinical skills. In an interview with Mobihealth News, Riddhi Baid, business development head at MediSim VR, shared that the training laboratory features a comprehensive, curated module library of essential skills endorsed by the Medical Council of India, the United Kingdom's General Medical Council, and the American Medical Council. "We cover essential skills required for all healthcare providers, including basic patient care skills such as assessing vital signs, proper wound care techniques, insertion of catheters, IV cannulas, and many more." Inaugurated in June, the VR training facility serves as a Centre of Excellence that aims to improve nursing training standards to boost productivity, address skill gaps, and align training and research with industry needs. As a CoE, it hosts training programmes, research, conferences, expert sessions, international events, trainers' training, and skills training. It also extends access to VR training to nursing colleges around Gujarat. "By integrating this state-of-the-art simulation training technology into our curriculum, we [do] not only enhance our students' learning experience but also serve as a training hub for healthcare professionals across Gujarat. As a [CoE], the MediSim VR Lab will play a significant role in upskilling nursing students," Dr Anuja Desai, executive director of KD Hospital, said in an official media release. MediSim VR and KD Hospital initially partnered in January to integrate VR technology into the training programme of the KD Institute of Nursing. WHY IT MATTERS The Indian Nursing Council estimates that there are about 3.3 million registered nurses in the country. This equates to 1.96 nurses per thousand persons, which falls short of the World Health Organization's recommended ratio of three nurses per thousand population. Besides this shortage, there is also a need to train and upskill nurses, particularly in areas outside urban centres where resources are limited. Baid believes the integration of VR in nursing education can help address this worsening issue. It both enhances the quality of training and standardises training across institutions. "Moreover, by reducing the dependency on traditional clinical placements, VR can alleviate resource constraints and accommodate larger cohorts of students." Aside from nursing, VR can also benefit learners in other areas of medical education, such as surgery and emergency medicine. "VR is increasingly used in therapy and pain management, offering innovative ways to help patients manage chronic pain and recover from injuries." Patient education is also an area where VR can potentially provide value, helping patients understand their conditions, treatment options, and surgical procedures, according to Bair. THE LARGER TREND The recent pandemic saw nursing education institutions around Asia increasingly adopt VR technology to continue conducting classes while meeting safety protocols. In Hong Kong, for example, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University developed the VR-based Virtual Hospital learning system – a first of its kind in the city – that simulates real-life hospital ward scenarios in a game format. Even as the pandemic subsided, institutions like the Singapore General Hospital still saw VR's value in augmenting nursing education. Recently, i tdeveloped the VR module IV NIMBLE, together with Serious Games Asia and sensor technology developer Microtube Technologies, to help upskill nurses in IV cannulation.

WASHINGTON, April 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As we celebrate World Malaria Day 2024, Malaria No More commends the incredible progress made by the U.S. President's Malaria Initiative (PMI), as outlined in its newly released 18th Annual Report to Congress. Despite current escalating threats, like drug resistance, climate change and the spread of the Anopheles stephensi mosquito, this year's report details the advances PMI and partners have made to combat malaria since 2000, including: 11.7 million lives saved 2.1 billion cases prevented 29% decline in malaria case rates 48% decline in malaria death rates Even with cases of malaria on the rise in 2022, death rates in PMI partner countries fell to around pre-pandemic levels (52.8 deaths per 100,000). Thanks to the bipartisan support of Congress, PMI benefited over 700 million people in Fiscal Year 2023, delivering 36.8 million mosquito nets, protecting 4.2 million homes with insecticide spraying, and providing 102.7 million rapid diagnostic tests. "Enormous progress is being made in the face of daunting challenges," said David Walton, U.S. Global Malaria Coordinator. "Our work shows countries around the world that the United States is an essential partner, a partner that helps tackle complex and difficult problems such as malaria, a partner who cares. By strengthening global health security, PMI is making the world safer and more equitable for everyone, including Americans." Despite continued and generous contributions from the U.S. government, global funding to combat malaria has plateaued since 2010. At the same time, the population vulnerable to malaria has nearly doubled. "We have come a long way in the last two decades, but our hard-fought gains are now at risk," said Martin Edlund, Malaria No More CEO. "This World Malaria Day, we applaud PMI for continued progress and innovation in the face of increasing challenges. Now is the moment to close the global malaria funding gap for scaling new tools, including game-changing malaria vaccines, to end malaria in our lifetime." Malaria No More looks forward to continuing to work with both Congress and the Administration to protect the gains of the past two decades and build stronger and resilient health systems for our future. For more on the U.S. President's Malaria Initiative and PMI's 18th Annual Report, visit pmi.gov For more information or interview requests, please contact Mindy Mizell at [email protected] About Malaria No More Malaria No More envisions a world where no one dies from a mosquito bite. Fifteen years into our mission, our work has contributed to historic progress toward this goal. Now, we're mobilizing the political commitment, funding, and innovation required to achieve what would be one of the greatest humanitarian accomplishments – ending malaria within our generation. For more information, visit . Media contact: Mindy Mizell Malaria No More, Senior Media Relations & Communications Manager Cell: +1.202.355.3690 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Malaria No More