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“There is an immediate need to redefine Anti-Malaria Therapy”, says Prof. G. Padmanaban, a distinguished Biotechnologist and Honorary Professor at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. Delivering the first Rama-Robbins Lecture on ‘Malaria-Prospects for Control’ jointly organized by the Department of Biotechnology and US Department of Health & Human Services here yesterday, Prof. Padmanaban presented an overall scenario of Malaria the world over. In his presentation he touched upon on-going research and practices being followed to control the malaria. He strongly advocated the development of a malaria vaccine which he said, could prove to be a major milestone in the long run. While elaborating the grim picture of sub-sahara Africa and Indian sub-continent, where malaria is a serious threat to human life, Prof. Padmanaban said that despite using one kind of therapy to eradicate malaria the desired results are not in sight. Floating the idea of using combination therapy to fight this dreadful disease, Prof. Padmanaban said that research studies have proved that genetic changes have already taken place in malaria parasites which have since become resistant to malaria-control drugs and related therapies.
Prof. Padmanaban said that the costly research and development programme of malaria-control could not be discarded because of its cost. It must continue, he said. Nevertheless he also talked of the low cost methods popularly known as preventive measures. Giving an example of field based study of ‘Betul’, Prof. Padmanaban gave many examples to illustrate his view with the help of slides. He said that 90% of the malaria cases had been found to have developed resistance to malaria control drugs. In such a situation, low cost techniques, however, have been found to be very effective to control and reduce the number of malaria cases. For low cost methods he referred to the use of insecticide treated net, cleaning of stagnant water, anti-malaria spray, fish in larvae ponds, health awareness through media etc.
Mr. David C. Mulford, Ambassador of USA in India highlighted the bilateral programmes between the two countries. He said that Vaccine Action Programme (VAP) has proven to be a fore-runner of other bilaterial programmes on health and bio-medical research. He also mentioned about the current projects on the developments of vaccines against malaria and HIV/AIDS, and hoped for collaborative health projects in high-priority areas such as malaria and other infectious diseases.
Shri S.K Bhan, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India underlined the importance of joint programmes between India and USA in Bio-medical and other public health areas.
Rama-Robbins Lecture was organized in memory of late Prof. V. Ramalingaswami and late Prof. Fedrick Robbins, Nobel-laureate for their outstanding contribution to establish a joint forum between India and USA in bio-medical research. An Indo-US sub commission on Science and Technology was formalized through Gandhi-Regan Science and Technology Agreement during 1985 with the initiative of late Prof. Ramalingaswami and late Prof. Robbins. After their efforts, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Department of Biotechnology (GOI) and US Public Health Services (USPHS) to establish Indo-US Vaccine Action Programme in July, 1987.
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