LUCKNOW: Children suffering from primary immunodeficiency diseases where their bodies fail to make antibodies against particular infections, will now be provided with free of cost 'immunoglobulins' at King George's
Medical University (
KGMU).
The university on Wednesday signed an
MOU with the Foundation of Primary Immunodeficiency Disease, USA, that will not just provide for diagnosis but also immunoglobulins that are artificial antibodies given to fight a specific antigen in the body. Prof
Sudhir Gupta, professor of medicine, pathology and laboratory medicine, microbiology and molecular genetics, chief of basic and clinical immunology, came to KGMU for the MOU signing on the day.
Primary immunodeficiency diseases are a a group of over 350 rare and chronic diseases in which either the child's immune system is missing or functions improperly. Every one child in 1200 children is a patient of such a disease in the world, that generally gets undetected leading to death of the child within one year of birth.
"After the MOU, we will now bring together pediatrics and the Centre for Advanced Research (
CFAR) together to identify such patients. The technique of diagnosis as well as the kits for testing will also be provided by Prof Gupta. Once detected, required immunoglobulins will also be provided for free to patients by the foundation," said Dr Sudhir Singh of KGMU's media cell.
