Focus on finding effective care for NCDs, expert

PUDUCHERRY: Researchers and professionals in diabetes, nephrology and coronary heart disease should work in tandem to find an effective treatment for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) atherosclerosis,said N K Ganguly, president of the Jawaharlal Institute of Post Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) here on Saturday.In his inaugural address at the 24th annual national conference of Indian Society for Atherosclerosis Research and International CME 2011 (ISARCON), he said that atherosclerosis was a non-communicable disease that affected blood vessels. According to recent observations of World Health Organisation (WHO), it has been found that Indians suffered from premature vascular ageing and above 60 per cent of the population would have atherosclerosis in near future. JIPMER President Ganguly said the non-communicable diseases accounted for 57 per cent of the deaths globally, while in developing countries, it accounted for around 70 per cent and the cost of managing the non-communicable diseases could cross $7 trillion by  the year 2025.He said diabetes, one of the high risk factors in the country, and coronary heart diseases were inter-linked. Researchers should work together to find a suitable solution to treat the diseases, Ganguly added.He said that `54,000 crore was being sought for steps against non-communicable diseases in the country during the XII Five Year Plan period.K S V K Subba Rao, director of JIPMER, released the souvenir of the conference. C Adithan, convener of ISARCON 2011, welcomed the gathering while Surendra Kumar Verma, organising secretary, proposed a vote of thanks.