The Indian Council of Medical Research will set up an advanced molecular diagnostic centre for fungi at AIIMS, Bhubaneswar. An amount of Rs 2.5 crore is being sanctioned by the ICMR for setting up the facility.
AIIMS director Professor Gitanjali Batmanabane told The Telegraph: “The centre will undertake research on fungal diseases and will help other institutions in capacity building to fight fungal diseases.”
“The money will be given over a period of three years for the capacity building of AIIMS. With the funds we will build up our infrastructure, train our men and provide them with necessary equipment,” she said. Stating that the facility will be used as a referral centre for the eastern part of the country, she said: “We will provide referral services in detection and control of fungal diseases.”
The centre will set up a multi-disciplinary team comprising mycologists, pathologists, surgeons, haematologists and other experts to manage suspected fungal infections and conduct research on such infections.
