Nobel prize in physiology or medicine by the Indian medical education system: How far and how close?

Abstract

Every year, Nobel prizes are announced, recognizing the unique contributions of individuals and organizations across the globe. Currently, India hosts the largest medical education system in the world with 650 medical colleges spread all over India and capacity to train 100,000 MBBS medical doctors a year. India is also a hub of cost-effective pharmaceutical industries and dubbed as the 'pharmacy of the world'. However, the cost of care is still out of reach of a large section of the population. If India is to become a global economic power, such aspirations cannot be solely based on the consumer market-driven economy but on achieving supremacy in 'new knowledge' creation as well. The research capacity needs to be optimized and capable of translating research work into the domestic monopoly and control over newer knowledge, technologies, products, and services for global consumers. Cost of care for more than 1 billion people, even if it is through universal health coverage, can be significantly reduced by supporting research activities and creating domestic intellectual properties in the healthcare sector.