PRESS RELEASE
Chennai, The Deputy Chief Minister of Tamilnadu Mr.M.K.Stalin today inaugurated the third phase of the cardiology population research programme of Sri Ramachandra University called PURSE –HIS (COHORT STUDY) that will cover Kancheepuram district. Speaking on the occasion he said that the valuable findings of the study undertaken by Dr.S.Thanikachalam, Chairman and Director, Cardiac Care Centre, SRU and his team will be very useful to the central and Tamilnadu governments in formulating effective interventional health policies for cardiac related diseases. Citing several health programmes launched by Chief Minister Mr.Karunanidhi he said recently at the Chief Ministers conference in New Delhi he met the Congress President and UPA Chairperson Mrs.Sonia Gandhi who evinced keen interest in the successful implementation of the Kalaingar Life Saving medical insurance programme and indicated that it may be adopted as a national programme. Speaking on the occasion, Tamilnadu Health Minister Mr.MRK Panneerselvam said that over 36,000 people have so far benefited from Kalaingar KapeettuThittam out of which 1024 persons have been treated at Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre. 80 percent of the Ramachandra treated patients had undergone heart surgeries he said. The Tamilnadu Health Secretary Mr.Subburaj, who released the interventional results of phase one and two of Purse-His programme said the reason for high incidence of various diseases in India are due to lack of knowledge among people of preventive life-style changes that can be easily adopted by them. Speaking on the occasion Dr.G.J.Samathanam, Scientist and Head, TDT Division, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India said that DST had funded nearly five crore rupees so far in the last three years for the PURSE-HIS research programme undertaken by SRU. The results of the first two phases undertaken in Chennai city and Tiruvallur district will be reviewed by the DST, he said. Dr.G.Kumaraswamy, Director, National Institute of Epidemiology said the selection of samples, data collection and analysis were based on national and international standards and there was total transparency. Dr.K.Satyanarayana, Senior Deputy Director General-ICMR said research programmes like PURSE-HIS have indicated that with simple lifestyle modifications we can bring about significant improvements in the health of the people. With strong political leadership support we can bring about simple life-style changes in the people, he added. Dr.S.Thanikachalam who is the principal investigator of this research programme said that out of 6000 persons only 240 were normal while the rest had disturbing findings. 50 % of the population has Dysglycemia, over 71% Dyslipidemia, 17 % Hypertension, 16% stress, 13% excess body fat and 18 % has Albuminuria. He said there was wide variation in the results between urban-semi urban and rural people. The rural people with an active life style habits had better parameters of health, thus disproving western notions that the cardio vascular dieseses of Indians were genetic oriented. The PURSE-HIS results so far show that they are not genetic. With the approval of DST the results of the first two phases will be placed before the Union and Tamilnadu Planning Commission for formulating suitable interventional health programmes. He said of the 6000 samples 95 patients chose siddha medicines for intervention. It was found that MADU MEGA CHURANAM used as a medicine had very good effect in reducing sugar and cholesterol levels. Explaining the research programmes of SRU, Dr.S.P.Thyagarajan, Pro Chancellor Research said an excellent infrastructural research facility has been built up in the university at an investment of over Rs.30 crores in the last few years. The Chancellor Mr.V.R.Venkataachalam honoured the Deputy Chief Minister and the distinguished guests. Earlier in his welcome address, Prof.S.Rangaswami, Vice Chancellor said that India has become an important destination for clinical research and SRU has a good networking tie-ups with institutions like ICMR, DST and National Institute of Epidemiology. Prof.K.V.Somsundaram, Dean of Faculties offered a vote of thanks. .......................................................... For more information please contact Dr. S.THANIKACHALAM, Principal Investigator –Purse-His Study,Chairman & Director – Cardiac Care Centre, Sri Ramachandra University, Tel : 24766991 Email : stsrmc@yahoo.com. Mr. T.G.Nallamuthu, Consultant, Media Relations, SRU, 94442 65578, nallamuthu@hotmail.com |
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