The Department of Health Research (DHR) in association with the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and the Department of Space (DoS) will soon embark on joint research in the field of zoonotic diseases, which are infectious diseases that affect both animals and humans.
The Union health ministry's initiative in this regard is significant as zoonotic diseases continue to be major public health problems in India. There are several programmes in place being implemented by the ministry of health and family welfare for control of the zoonotic diseases in humans and also by the ministry of agriculture for control of the diseases in animals respectively. However, there are still certain gaps in our knowledge about these diseases and also in how to control them.
Earlier, a meeting was held in this connection on October 14 last year which was chaired by the Dr VM Katoch, secretary, DHR and director general, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The aims of this meeting were to identify priority areas for joint research and constitute working groups. It was also decided in the meeting that the lead department of each working group would organize the meetings of the working groups and develop concept proposals. Further, it was also suggested that call for project proposals for joint research programmes should be developed so that implementation could begin before February 2014.
One of the priority areas of joint venture was identified to be zoonotic diseases. DHR will be the lead department of the working group dealing with this. The programme will be managed by a secretariat located in the ICMR-DHR co-ordination division. For implementation of activities, the ICMR has been identified as the nodal agency on behalf of the DHR. The overall scientific goals and procedures would be monitored by the joint working group (JWG) consisting of members representing the DHR, DARE, DBT, DoS and invited experts.
The DHR has invited research proposals for this programme till January 31, 2014. Scientists working in India, both from the human health as well as domestic animal health and wildlife sciences will be eligible to participate in the research programme. Any scientist working in a permanent position in a medical, agriculture or veterinary college, research institute or university, anywhere in the country including government and non-governmental bodies (registered with the DSIR) can apply for this programme.