ICMR to work on 40 techniques to treat heart, lung ailments

The study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in 13 public and private hospitals across the country reveals that 25 per cent of the heart patients are aged below 50 years. 

The major factors contributing to cardiovascular diseases were found to be tobacco consumption at 55.3 per cent, hypertension at 45 per cent and diabetes at 32.5 per cent.

Experts suggest that a patient should seek medical help within 120 minutes s/he suffers a heart attack, but the study reveals that in most cases, patients reached hospitals 900 minutes after the golden hour i.e., 120 minutes.

The ICMR is working on innovative techniques to treat cardiovascular ailments.  

About 40 new techniques were displayed in an exhibition organised by the ICMR, in collabration with the National Innovation Foundation, at the Rashtrapati Bhawan from March 12-19. These innovations were selected from the list of 511 technologies submitted to the ICMR by various medical departments working in public and private capacities.  

Among the list of 40 innovations, which will be developed, a point of care biosensor for diabetes and its complications that measures HbA1c, glycated albumin, blood glucose, hemoglobin will be developed by the ICMR.

Further with respect to diabetes, a diagnostic kit that will help doctors determine if there is a loss of efficacy insulin in a patient.  

Another feature is a 3D virtual model used for planning a surgery in children, suffering from congenital heart ailments. This technique can reduce the surgery time to half. 

A digital feature to cure lung ailments was also displayed at the innovation fest.