Desert Medicine research Centre (DMRC), Jodhpur is one of the permanent institutes of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), a Government of India’s apex autonomous organization for bio-medical research in the country. The ICMR established the centre in 1984 with a mandate to undertake and promote research on health problems specific to desert areas, study the changing patterns of health problems especially in view of various developmental activities taking place in the region and strengthen the scientific and technical expertise of state as well as local health agencies. The DMRC, Jodhpur has contributed to generate baseline data on nutritional problems faced by the population of desert areas, understanding of transmission dynamics of vector borne diseases in the changing ecology of desert areas, other health problems like silicosis, hypertension, renal stones, specific maternal-child health issues, elimination of guinea worm disease, etc. Besides centre is running several programmes on dengue, malaria, vector bionomics, insecticide resistance, novel herbs with potential as insecticides as well as anti-infective agents, hypertension, and various nutritional deficiencies in vulnerable populations aiming to establish itself as centre of excellence on these problems with special reference to desert ecology. Centre’s research programmes and R&D efforts has helped DMRC, Jodhpur to emerge as plate form for leadership both at national and international levels.

• 1. Annual Report [13]. 2. Publications [205]. 3. Centre has carried out baseline survey in the initial phase and subsequent rapid drought survey to understand the health problems in the region. Short and long-term malnutrition, Anaemia and diet deficient in calories, Vitamin-A and Vitamin-B complex were found to be common prevalent problems. Information on the occurrence and distribution of vector species and socio-demographic profile were other important outcomes of these surveys. 4. Camp approach was demonstrated to be a useful approach in tackling the vitamin A deficiency and health problems of the salt workers. 5. Developed expertise, which proved useful for National Guinea-worm Eradication Programme in Rajasthan. 6. Scientist at centre worked out mechanism of dengue virus retention in nature through demonstration of Transovarial Transmission (TOT) of dengue virus in Aedes aegypti up to seven generation under laboratory conditions & dynamics of desert malaria. 7. Scientist at centre demonstrated the utility, feasibility and affordability of wet-drilling as well as use of face masks for prevention of silicosis in sand stone quarry workers. 8. A compendium on indigenous plant medicines from tribal areas of Rajasthan has been prepared. 9. Demonstrated 200 kD protein in mid-gut of mosquitoes refractory to dengue virus. 10. Investigated opium addiction associated susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis, problem of silico tuberculosis in stone quarry workers, nutritional deficiencies and associated morbidities, urolithiasis & hypertension in rural areas.