The University of Sydney's George Institute for International Health today announced the launch of The George Institute, India in Hyderabad.
The Institute will conduct a landmark group of studies that will provide answers on how to improve health and manage major diseases in India in a sustainable manner through a more effective health system. The occasion marks a major expansion of Australian health expertise into the Asia Pacific region following the recent opening of The George Institute, China in May of this year.
More than 600,000 Australians and more than 250 million people worldwide have type 2 diabetes, and most will eventually die or become disabled by the complications due to ccardiovascular disease (cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for more than 16 million deaths annually).
The majority of these deaths now occur in developing countries such as India, where rates of heart attack and stroke have ballooned in the last few decades. In addition, because cardiovascular diseases occur earlier in life in developing regions, the economic impact is enormous. It is estimated that cardiovascular conditions will trim more that 1 per cent from India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2015.
In 2006, the United Nations called for increased international action to combat the global epidemic of diabetes. The WHO state that if appropriate action is not taken, by 2015, an estimated 20 million people will die from cardiovascular disease every year, mainly from heart attacks and strokes. The new Institute will address these and other health challenges in India such as obesity, HIV/AIDS and injury.
The Honourable Union Health & Family Welfare Minister in India, Dr Anbumani Ramadoss, attended the formal launch of the institute in the evening. Speaking on the occasion, the Health Minister said, "Good health of the people of a nation is a necessary requirement for achieving sustainable growth and success of the country. A better health infrastructure is crucial for helping India reach its high-growth trajectory in all spheres. We are delighted to welcome The George Institute as a valuable ally towards our common goal of making India a healthier nation."