Dr Mahesh Kate feels more and more doctors should be take up translational medicine in India

Ludhiana, April 16, 2017: Scientific discoveries arising in the laboratory usually take many years to be transformed in to tools and medicines useful for common people. A new science, Translational Medicine is increasing the speed of transformation by understanding this process. Dr Mahesh Kate, Assistant Professor in department of Neurology at Christian Medical College, Ludhiana recently obtained a Master of Science degree in Translational Medicine from University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. This was the first Canadian program in translational medicine with only handful available all over the world. During the course he got an unique oppurtunity to interact with basic scientists who develop new molecules/machines, clinician scientists and policy makers of Alberta, Canada.

Currently in India and worldwide basic scientist, doctors and health policy makers work separetely in their fields with each of them not being aware of others work or working process. Thus transformation of knowledge to improvement in human health becomes a long drawn process. To give an example; since 2004 it is known that 90% of heart attacks can be prevented and since 2010 it is known that 90% of strokes can be prevented by simple steps. However this information has not reached public due to lack of effective communication between clinicians and health policy-makers. It can be said that if all the information available to us today is put to effective use we can save millions of lives. Translational Medicine tries to develop effective bridges for communication, trying to facilitate dialogues between basic scientist, doctors and health policy-makers through research.

Dr Mahesh Kate under the guidance of Dr Jeyaraj Pandian, Professor/Head, Department of Neurology is trying to create awarness in Ludhiana city and surrounding villages about the stroke prevention strategies in projects funded by Indian Council of Medical Research and World Federation of Neurology. Dr Mahesh Kate also is an Intermediate Fellow of India Alliance (The Wellcome Trust/Department of Biotechnology, Government of India). He will receive 1.5 crores rupees over five years to study effect of simple blood pressure machine as tool to deliver low-cost stroke prevention strategy in patients who have developed stroke due to blockage of artery (remote ischaemic conditioning). This may help reduce the burden of the stroke disease in the society as patients with stroke can have stroke again.

Dr Mahesh Kate feels more and more doctors should be take up translational medicine in India, as doctors can be very good bridge between basic scientist and health policy makers. Moreover, doctors are closest to patients and can identify most pressing problems in the society, which then can be investigated together to find effective solutions. He also suggested a similar Masters program can be started in Baba Farid University of Health Sciences as well.