JBTDRC

The Jamnalal Bajaj Tropical Disease Research Centre (JBTDRC) is an advanced centre for Tropical Disease Research established in 1994 at Mahata Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sevagram to expand the Institute’s on going research programmes in tropical diseases such as filariasis and tuberculosis prevalent in this region. It is the result of sustained problem based research activity in Department of Biochemistry for more than two decades at MGIMS with support from ICMR, CSIR, DST, WHO/ TDR, INDO US-STI and DBT.

Foundation stone was laid for the centre on February 23, 1991 in the hands of former Prime Minister Shri Chandrasekhar. Dr. Sushila Nayar, our esteemed Director who has been the source of inspiration and our Guide performed ‘Bhoomi puja’ for the centre on February 12, 1992 in the gracious presence of Dr. U. Koko, former Regional Director, WHO-SEARO. A humble beginning in giving a shape to the centre started with the Bajaj Group giving financial support for the building. Shri. Dhiru S. Mehta, the then Vice-President, KHS, presently President was instrumental in getting this support and the construction of the building admeasuring 16,000 sq.ft. was completed in June 1994. After the Vastu Pooja of the centre on July 11th by Revered Behenji Dr. Sushila Nayar, the Centre has become fully operational under Dr. B. C. Harinath as Director to intensify research and training on tropical disease diagnostics under JBTDRC banner with core grant support from Kasturba Health Society.

The main thrust has been to apply the latest and sophisticated techniques of immunology and molecular biology in developing tools for immunodiagnosis, monitoring, immunoprophylaxis, surveillance and their application in the field for better management and control of the diseases namely Filariasis and Tuberculosis. The process for preparation of TB and filarial antigens are patented. In-house developed immunoassays SEVA FILA CHEK and SEVA TB ELISA are routinely done for screening of suspected patients.

With establishment of Bioinformatics Centre in May 1999, with support from Department of Biotechnology, thrust has been on Quarterly dissemination of information on advances in infectious disease research and Traditional Medicine by publication of SEVAMED (printed copy & online) and Web portal on MGIMS-JBTDRC Health Update on emerging infectious diseases and lifestyle health problems.