Jitendra Singh dedicates UMMID programme to nation, says precision medicine is future of healthcare
New Delhi: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh on Thursday dedicated the UMMID (Unique Methods of Management of Inherited Disorders) Programme for Rare Genetic Disorders to the nation, asserting that genomic and precision medicine will shape the future of healthcare in India.
Speaking at a special event organised by the Department of Biotechnology at Prithvi Bhawan in New Delhi, Singh said India is steadily moving towards an era where healthcare, diagnosis and treatment will become increasingly genome-based, precision-driven and tailored to the genetic profile of individual patients.
“The entire future of medicine is moving towards gene and genome-based individualized treatment,” the Minister said while describing UMMID as a transformative initiative aimed at making diagnosis and management of rare genetic disorders more affordable, accessible and widely available.
The Union Minister also released the UMMID Compendium and launched the UMMID Dashboard, which will strengthen nationwide access to diagnostics, counselling, outreach and programme monitoring for inherited disorders.
Singh said inherited and rare genetic disorders had remained neglected for decades because diagnosis was often difficult, treatment inaccessible and medicines prohibitively expensive. He stressed the need for a coordinated national mechanism to support affected families through early detection, screening and genetic counselling.
Highlighting the government’s broader healthcare reforms under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Minister said the focus has remained on affordable, accessible and preventive healthcare through expanded wellness centres, wider insurance coverage and affordable medicines.
Calling inherited disorders a “silent but deeply challenging public health burden,” Singh said many families spend years searching for proper diagnosis and treatment. He added that India’s vast genetic diversity makes it necessary to create a robust ecosystem for newborn screening, prenatal counselling, genetic diagnostics and clinician training.
The Minister said the UMMID programme has already benefited nearly three lakh individuals through screening and diagnostic services, while expanding outreach in Aspirational Districts and underserved regions. Nearly 30 NIDAN Kendras have also been established to provide advanced diagnostics and counselling services beyond metropolitan centres.
He further stated that the experience gained through UMMID would lay the foundation for future precision medicine, where treatment for diseases such as diabetes, cardiac ailments and cancer could increasingly be based on an individual’s genetic profile.
“Genetic medicine and nuclear medicine are emerging as two major frontiers that could redefine healthcare in the coming decades,” he said.
Secretary, Department of Biotechnology and Director General of Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC), Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale said the UMMID initiative has brought hope to thousands of families through scientific intervention, collaborative biotechnology research and early diagnosis.
Senior Adviser, Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Dr. Suchita Ninawe said the programme has significantly strengthened India’s response to inherited genetic disorders by improving access to genetic diagnostics, counselling and institutional capacity-building.
The event was attended by senior scientists, clinicians, healthcare professionals and representatives from UMMID implementing institutions across the country.
(DD News)
