PGI’s new session inaugurated

Prof Valiathan during his address rued that the spirit of innovation was dead in India, as 90% of high-technology products in biomedical engineering were being imported and Indians had been paying twice or thrice the price of the products. “More than a billion people do not have access to modern medical treatment. The initiation has to come from institutes like PGIMER. Not a single device or instrument has been invented for decades. Engineers, and physicians have to come together to overcome this gulf between biomedical technology in India and abroad,” he said. Prof Valiathan, a pioneer in biomedical engineering, has been instrumental in making Chitra TTK valve, which has been successfully implanted in 75,000 individuals and exported to many countries. The multidisciplinary team at the Sree Chitra Institute led by Prof Valiathan had also developed a series of disposable devices such as blood bag, oxygenator and cardiotomy reservoir and vascular grafts which are in commercial production now.

Earlier Prof Y K Chawla, Director, PGIMER, introduced the chief guest to the audience. While addressing the new entrants he said, “A new year and a new session gives us an opportunity to remind ourselves of our aims and ideals at the PGI, as exemplified by our founder medical icons, Dr Tulsi Dass, Dr. S S Anand, Dr P

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