Mumbai: In a significant move aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery, the ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health (ICMR-NIRRCH) has sought the revival of its free genetic training programme for clinicians — a course experts say is crucial but currently missing in India’s medical ecosystem.
The institute has urged authorities to restart its discontinued free training programme that enabled doctors to better diagnose and manage genetic disorders.
The programme, which ran successfully for five years, trained 15–20 doctors annually through an intensive month-long course. Participants, many from rural and underserved regions, returned to their hometowns equipped with specialised skills to identify and treat genetic conditions more effectively.
However, the initiative came to a halt after its funding cycle ended. ICMR-NIRRCH has now requested a modest grant of ₹4–5 lakh to revive the programme.
Experts highlight that the impact of the training was significant and far-reaching. A large number of patients at the institute’s genetic centre were referred by doctors who had undergone this training.
The need for such programmes is particularly critical in India, where genetic disorders are relatively common. Despite this growing burden, formal training in medical genetics remains limited for practising clinicians.
Doctors who attended the course said it helped them make informed decisions — from selecting appropriate tests to interpreting results accurately — reducing unnecessary costs and improving patient outcomes.
The initiative also helped bridge the urban-rural healthcare gap. Clinicians from remote regions were able to access expert guidance and connect patients to specialised care through this programme.
With genetic disorders emerging as a major public health concern, experts stress that reviving such training is essential to improve early diagnosis and treatment across the country.
