Japanese medical students wow talent pool in India

A group of Japanese medical students, who were on a visit to Chennai as part of an exchange programme, have been impressed with the number of competent scientists and skilled clinicians here.

Briefing reporters recently, the students from Yamanashi University of Japan said the Indian scientists and clinicians had the acumen to take up challenges posed by several diseases with no definitive treatment available.

The seven students visited the Nichi-In Centre for Regenerative Medicine (NCRM) in the city and said they would convey the message to their peer group in Japan so that their nation could improve bilateral exchange with India in regenerative medicine and medical tourism.

They said that all kinds of technology, facilities and opportunities to learn about various diseases may not exist in one place because of genetic, socio economic and geographical differences between the countries and added that a synergy in such circumstances was vital. The technological expertise in biomaterials and nano technology from Japan could combine the skilled experts of India which has a wide spectrum of diseases due to its diversity and would pave way for several new solutions to treat challenging diseases, they added.

Dr Samuel JK Abraham, director of NCRM, said that a training programme in regenerative medicine that includes hands-on experience in stem cell culture and tissue engineering, translational research and clinical postings in both the countries, which would give exposure to basic scientists in clinical and clinicians in research arenas would soon begin. Initially it would start as an elective posting between trainees and students of the two institutes and then it would gradually be expanded to other collaborating institutes and finally leading to an accredited programme, he added. Dr S R Subrammanniyan, chairman of ethics committee of NCRM, praised the efforts taken by the two institutes.