Govthosp’s sickle cell kit selected for nat’l summit

Raipur: Researchers at the Multi-Disciplinary Research Unit (MRU) of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Medical College and Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Memorial Hospital have developed a sickle cell diagnostic kit. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has selected the device for the "Innovators to Industry Connect" summit on April 23 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The project was led by Dr Jagannath Pal and Dr Yogita Rajput, with support from MRU nodal officer Dr Manjula Beck. The kit detects sickle cell anemia in newborns and aids antenatal screening. The team has been shortlisted among the top 10 technologies under ICMR's "Medical Innovation Patent Mitra" programme, alongside institutions like IIT Guwahati, AIIMS New Delhi and Tata Memorial Centre. The summit will showcase medical technologies and promote industry collaboration, patent licensing and public-private partnerships. Organisers have also invited the team to present the kit. Dean Dr Vivek Choudhary said the institute is focused on research, while Superintendent Dr Santosh Sonkar called the development a key tool for managing sickle cell disease in the state.