12 Feb : Come May 2010 and medical graduates will be able to opt for a specialisation in Infectious Diseases (ID) under the Indo-US scientific collaboration programme."It will be for the first time that a three-year MD speciality course and training in infectious diseases will be made available to Indian medical graduates," American Board of Urology Diplomat Dr Navin Shah said on Wednesday.
The modalities of the course are yet to be worked out, Shah said.India has 50 million patients suffering from infectious diseases and 48 per cent deaths are due to it, Shah said.In the US, ID speciality has been available for over 30 years.
"The speciality has significantly improved patient care in the US by decreasing mortalities and morbidities in ID patients," Shah said. US specialists will work closely with the Indian doctors to evolve the course relevant to India, he said.
Shah said practical training experiences will be shared with the Indian doctors and two faculties will come to India for teaching and training purposes.
The Medical Council of India (MCI) and Government of India approved the programme last year.
"MCI officials will finalise the programme details and meet Dr Akshay Shah and Dr Indira Brar (both ID specialists from US) along with me in March this year, Shah said.