Dear Colleagues,
As 2016 comes to an end, I go back to my address at the 50th OPPI Annual General Meeting in which we collectively imagined an India where no child dies of a vaccine-preventable disease; where no new mother suffers or dies from lack of basic care; where every citizen has access to quality healthcare and where we are innovating to discover new drugs and solutions to meet our healthcare challenges. There is a real possibility to collaborate and leverage the huge progress being made in digital technology to achieve healthcare for all.
Current estimates of the incidence of cancer in India by the WHO and other health agencies saythere are 1 million new patients each year. Cancer has profound social and economic consequences for people in India, often leading to family impoverishment.
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have become the leading cause of mortality in India. A quarter of all deaths is attributable to CVD. Coronary heart disease and stroke are the predominant causes and are responsible for more than 80 of CVD-related deaths. The World Health Organisation’s Global Burden of Disease study estimates that the CVD death rate of 272 in every one lakh people in India is higher than the global average of 235 in one lakh people.
With a death rate of 142 per lakh people, India tops the world table of mortality from lung diseases. Respiratory diseases like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD), pneumonia, tuberculosis (TB) are emerging as major health problems in the country. According to studies, pulmonary fibrosis comprises 15 per cent of the pulmonary physician’s practice. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has estimated the incidence of COPD as 5 per cent in Indian men.
India is among the top three countries when it comes to the incidence of diabetes. According to a study by The Lancet magazine published earlier this year, nearly 65 million people in India have been diagnosed with the condition; many health experts believe that this number may be greater, as thousands of people may not be aware that they have diabetes; the International Diabetes Federation says one-third of adults with diabetes haven’t been diagnosed.
As part of OPPI’s 50th Anniversary celebration, a panel discussion is being organised along with the National Law School, Bengaluru. This discussion marks the occasion of the World IP Day and is one of the series of events celebrating OPPI’s … Continue reading
“We welcome the fact that FM has named Healthcare as one of the nine pillars of the Union Budget 2016. Our country’s demographic dividend can accrue only if we give priority to healthcare sector. I didn’t see a bold approach … Continue reading
“Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR) is becoming a grave threat to public health and this problem extends across the globe.”
“India is committed to combating Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). However, a collective action is required by all stakeholders within a country and by all countries within a region. India, will be very happy to work with other Member States towards this common goal”, said Shri JP Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare. He was speaking at the inauguration of the 3-day International Conference on Combating Antimicrobial Resistance, today.”
On behalf of everyone at OPPI, we take this opportunity to wish your loved ones and you, a Happy & Prosperous New Year.
Even as we anticipate the opportunities and prepare for a challenging 2016, I’m certain that together, we will continue to infuse hope and optimism in the lives of patients and their families in the New Year