Science for Society

Other Societal Benefits - Health

Department of Science & Technology

 

Cross-Cutting and Futuristic initiatives (CCFI)

Development of the digital transformation of energy/water/environmental systems and networks by designing, implementing and testing interoperable technical, business, market and communication protocol for the green energy transition. The focus is to establish science and technology hub/ living lab that focuses on sustainable technologies development for a rural area, creates awareness about sustainable environmental technologies and offers training to marginal communities as well as cross sectorally explore the nexus of water with energy, food and health. The Main programmes include Programme on Energy Storage Solutions (MICall19); Digitalisation of Energy Systems and Networks (MICall20); Integrated Technology Interventions for Sustainable Environment (ITISE) and Industrial Waste Water.

Indigenous Medical System Revival: Siddha Bone Fracture Treatment

Vivekananda Kendra-nardep works in the field of documentation, clinical application, awareness creation and standardization of selected tradition orthopedic Varma practices in the southern districts of Tamil Nadu. Though many of the traditional Varma medical healers treat a number of complicated orthopedic cases successfully, their methods have not been studied. The success-failure rates of their results also have not been documented. This work by VK-nardep involves the collection of Varma literature for selective bone fractures and documentation of the treatment cycle of selected Varma practitioners in the two southern districts of Tamil Nadu namely Kanyakumari and Thirunelveli. Emphasis is given for chronic joint pains, degenerative disorders particularly for cervical & lumbar spondylitis and vertebral dislocations. Varma based Bone setting techniques and healing for joint dislocations are given specific consideration by VK-nardep. Ultimate aim of VK-nardep is creating community assets in the form of trained physicians, conservation of local indigenous knowledge base and improved cost-effective health systems.

Developed By: Vivekananda Kendra - Natural Resources Development Project

Department of Biotechnology

National Biopharma Mission Launched

In a bid to create a globally competitive biopharmaceutical industry that addresses the country’s major concerns around barriers to affordable healthcare, Hon’ble Minister Science & Technology, launched the Innovate in India (I3) program on 30th June 2017, in New Delhi. The programme of DBT, with a funding to the tune of US$ 250 million, is a first of its kind mission that brings together industry and academia to promote entrepreneurship and indigenous manufacturing in the bio-pharmaceutical sector. This flagship program of the Government of India, in collaboration with the World Bank, will be implemented by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC).

Dengue Vaccine : The International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) is collaborating with the drug major Sun Pharma to use the recombinant EDIII-based sub-unit dengue vaccine candidate, to develop an injectable vaccine that protects against all four dengue strains endemic to India.

Malaria Vaccine : Vaccine for malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum is under toxicology assessment (JAIVAC 2) and another vaccine for malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax has completed Phase I trial (JAIVAC1).

Innovative devices to nurture Mother & Child Health DBT launched “Sohum” an innovative newborn hearing screening device : Sohum – a hearing screening device for the newborns developed by the Stanford India Biodesign (SIB) programme’s start-up M/s Sohum Innovation Labs India Pvt. Ltd. on July 17th, 2017 at Prithvi Bhavan, New Delhi. It has been one of the key contributions to the ‘Make in India’ campaign of the Government of India.

Neonatal Resuscitation Device (Neo Breathe) : The device is a foot operated resuscitation system that can free-up a hand of the device operator, thereby allowing him or her to use both the hands for holding the mask, leading to effective sealing and better ventilation.

Feto-maternal Parameter Monitoring System (Brun)

This system is a safe, easy and cost-effective way to continuously monitor feto-maternal vitals to reduce neonatal mortality