Genome Foundation and L V Prasad Eye Institute Collaborate for Ocular Genetic Research and Clinical Care
Genome Foundation and L V Prasad Eye Institute Collaborate for Ocular Genetic Research and Clinical Care
The focus is on developing facilities for ocular genetic research, diagnostics and counselling, ophthalmic clinical and other patient related services
Hyderabad, 11th October 2021: An MoU was signed between Dr C Rangarajan, Chairman, Board of Directors, Genome Foundation (GF) and Dr Gullapalli N Rao, Chair –Board of Trustees, L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) to foster collaborative research, training and knowledge sharing. Dr C Rangarajan is an Economist and Former Chairman, Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council, New Delhi.
Both the institutions will share expertise and resources to expand their capabilities in ophthalmic clinical genetics, molecular genetics, cytogenetics, forensic testing services, research, diagnostics, counselling, training, education and other similar services. The overarching aim is to develop facilities for research, diagnostics and counselling, ophthalmic clinical and other services that will greatly benefit patients suffering from vision impairment and blindness. The focus will be on coming up with better, advanced and economical treatment plans to treat basic and complex ocular disorders.
GF will share the state-of-the-artfacility that it is developing at Medipally Village, Malkajagiri District, Hyderabad, for the specified purpose and both the institutions will work closely to raise funds and resources to develop these facilities.
“This collaboration is between two intellectual institutes and this will be a springboard for much greater interactions as we move forward. The focus will on identifying the genetic eye disorders and genetic intervention to treat those disorders, and creating awareness about them in the public and eye care community at large,” said Dr C Rangarajan.
“It fits very well into our strategy for the future. Our focus is on developing Institutes of Excellence in the next 20 years, and one such area is genetics in eye care and ophthalmology. We have been working in this area for quite some time and this partnership will further strengthen the ongoing efforts. We thank Genome Foundation for this partnership and look forward to making significant strides in this field of eye care that will benefit the community at large - both urban and rural,” said Dr Rao.
About LVPEI: Established in 1987, L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI), a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Prevention of Blindness, is a comprehensive eye health facility. The Institute has ten active arms to its areas of operations: Clinical Services, Education, Research, Vision Rehabilitation, Rural and Community Eye Health, Eye Banking, Advocacy and Policy Planning, Capacity Building, Innovation and Product Development. The LVPEI Eye Care Network has 236 Centres spread across the states of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Karnataka in India. The institute's mission is to provide equitable and quality eye care to all sections of society. The LVPEI’s five-tier ‘Eye Health Pyramid’ model covering all sections of society right from the villages to the city, provides high quality and comprehensive - prevention, curative and rehabilitation – eye care to all. It has served over 32.11 million (3 crore 21 lakh people), over 50% of them entirely free of cost, irrespective of the complexity of care needed.
About Genome Foundation (GF): Genome Foundation (GF) is a not for profit company registered under Section 25 of the Companies Act at Hyderabad in 2004.GF was established for diagnosing genetic disorders and find solutions for their management and cure through genetic research, development, counselling, training and mass awareness programs.GF is recognized by DSIR, Ministry of Science &Technology, Govt. of India, as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organization [SIRO] and also by Govt. of Telangana's, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostics and Testing Services. It is equipped with state-of-the-art genetic diagnostic facilities with necessary human resources for carrying out pertinent activities towards providing personalized healthcare in diagnosing and managing rare, common and lifestyle genetic diseases at affordable costs easily accessible to rural people across the nation.
