Staff Reporter –
Apollo, the world’s largest vertically integrated healthcare provider, today announced the expansion of the Apollo Genomics Institute with the launch of the facility in Chennai. Doubling down on its investments in genomics, Apollo Genomic Institute was earlier launched in Mumbai and Delhi. By the end of 2023, Apollo aims to open three more genomics facilities in Hyderabad, Bangalore and Ahmedabad respectively.
India has made huge progress in terms of combating communicable diseases over the years; however, the increase in the number of genetic disorders in the recent past have been overlooked. With genomics, these diseases can be identified before they manifest; in turn, enabling early intervention and preventive care. The Apollo Genomics Institute aims to transform medical practice by bringing genomic services within the reach of every clinician & patient.
The Apollo Genomic Institute in Chennai will host a range of genomic services including genetic evaluation, clinical diagnostics, obstetric genetics, cancer genomics, prenatal genetic screening capabilities and more, empowering patients with information to manage and prevent genetic disorders.
Dr. Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson of Apollo Hospitals Group, said “India is a highly diverse heterogeneous country, and as a result, genomic medicine could have transformative potential. With decreasing infant mortality rates, genetic disorders are emerging as an important group of diseases. According to a 2021 report by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the number of diseases in India that are globally recognized as rare diseases encompass from around 7,000 to 8,000 disorders. Today, as our population gets more health conscious, we’re also seeing increased awareness amongst individuals around the value of genomic tests in the prevention and diagnosis of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and genetic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disorders amongst others. The expansion of the Genomics Institute is a critical step towards the prevention and management of NCDs, which continues to be a significant public health challenge in India and around the world”.
Ms. Suneeta Reddy, MD, Apollo Hospitals Group, said “At Apollo, we believe that patients need to be brought to the forefront of the decision-making process with regard to their health journey. Constantly increasing availability of real-world data sources coupled with patient-centric analytics offer deeper insights into how they are diagnosed, treated and beyond. Genomics is one such area. On the back of increasing NCDs, the greater availability of patient-level data helps practitioners better understand the patient journey. This also enables personalization in medicine by leveraging genetic insights is immensely impacting decisions made regarding the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases. At Apollo Genomics Institute, our focus on preventive care and personalized medicine underscores our commitment to a more resilient and healthier society.”
India has 20 per cent of the world’s global population, it only contributes to 0.2 per cent of the global genetic database. Apollo Genomic Network is planning to launch a genomic variant database to collate and secure the genomic data generated in a secure manner. The Pan-Apollo Genomics Network is also actively involved in academics and research activities. AGI holds weekly case discussions, peer-to-peer learning, monthly Grand rounds and Journal club and Healthcare Seminar series. As NCDs continue to be one of the leading causes of death and suffering, contributing to 65 per cent of deaths in India, Apollo is committed to making preventive healthcare a national priority. The Apollo Genomics Institutes ultimate goal is to transform the future of healthcare in India by providing access to precision & personalized medical care.
