Progress of the WIDF
WHAT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED THUS FAR

Visits to the Mayo Clinic by the Kerala government officials and physicians (November 1995).

Mayo Clinic and AKMG sponsored CME program in Internal Medicine and visit of joint Mayo faculty and AKMG Leadership to the Health Ministry of Kerala (December1995).

Visit by the Mayo Clinic delegation to investigate the feasibility to set up the IID in Kerala (November 1997).

Signing of the memorandum of understanding between the Endocrinology Division at Mayo Clinic and the Government of Kerala (January 1999).

Formation of World India Diabetes Foundation, June 1999, in a gathering of international group including many US physicians, Princess Gouri Parvathi Bayi, Mrs. (Dr.) Rita Powell (Ireland) and others from Canada and India.

Approval by various Mayo Clinic committees for collaboration with the activities of the IID, India (2000-2001). This includes the support in the areas of research and education by the Division of Endocrinology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Support of Mayo Foundation International Consulting Service, and the use of Mayo Rochester facilities for the official office functions.

Two separate visits of the architects (Sukumaran and Associates) from Kerala to Mayo (architects) for finalizing the architectural plan of the IID. The architectural plan is submitted for the approval by the corporation of Trivandrum.

Allocation and transfer by the government of Kerala of 18.5 acres of prime land for the IID (approximately $3.5 million). This was the site of Pulayanarkotta Sanatorium, medical college campus, Trivandrum. Compound wall is being built.

Initial Kerala government contribution of 50 Lakhs rupees was granted.

The Royal Family of Travancore has pledged an initial contribution of 30-40 lakhs rupees for the IID.

Appointment of a full time project officer, Mr. C. U. Babu, for the IID in Kerala and establishment of an office in Trivandrum.

Set up of an office for the WIDF USA at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, Melissa Aakre, coordinator, 2000.

CME program on diabetes mellitus (International Seminar on Type 2 Diabetes) was be conducted in Cochin on December 1-2, 2001.

Discussions on establishing IID satellites in other parts of India took place in two separate meetings in Mumbai and Madras. A committee co-chaired by Captain Krishnan Nair (Chairman, Leela Hotels) and Mrs.Anna Malhotra (Retired Secretary to the government of India) has been formed for follow up action.

Foundation laying of the IID was held on November 29th 2001 by the Chief Minister of Kerala, Mr. A. K. Anthony. This was attended by several international diabetologists including representatives from Mayo Clinic, Joslin Clinc, Karolinska Institute (Sweden). At that meeting the Kerala Health Minister will formally hand over the land (site for the IID) to the Chair of the WIDF.

Staff recruitment is in process.

Dr.Jothydev Kesavadev MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Government Medical College was selected by the search committee and joined Indian Institute of Diabetes (IID) on July 24, 2002, on deputation from Medical College. He is undergoing fellowship training in Endocrinology and Metabolism at Mayo Clinic and will be joining IID as Clinical Director by 2004 end. (jothydev@yahoo.com)

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE

The next important step is to recruit 4 diabetologists from India and bring them for 2 years of training at the Mayo Clinic. These diabetologists will be recruited after reviewing their credentials by an international committee of diabetologists.

IID facility needs to be constructed in Trivandrum, India. This will be done in three phases. Fund raising activities are planned in the USA, Middle East, and India. We will seek financial assistance for the IID from the government of India and various international agencies. Appeals are made to philanthropic nonresident Indians (NRIs) throughout the world.

India's Ambassador at large (NRI), Hon. Bhishma Agnihotri, has been a board member of the WIDF USA. It is in our favor that he is also in charge of the government of India's NRI affairs. We also made important contacts with Rockefeller Foundation through one of WIDF board members (Dr. Caroline Elliott, a former Rockfeller Foundation director). It is hoped that research funding for the IID will be available from the overseas and international development agencies, corporations in Europe and the USA, organizations such as Wellcome Trust, UK, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation USA, and National Institutes of Health.

IID will be managed by a non-profit organization in India. The governing body of the IID would include two diabetologists from the Mayo Clinic. The rest of the members will be from India. There will be a chief executive officer (M.D.) (Chair of the Board) a chief administrative officer (non M.D.); (a search committee is established to recruit these two officials), four representatives from a pool of the leading Indian institutions such as IITs, Indian Institute of Business, ICMR, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Sri Chitra Medical Center, two leading diabetologists from India, and a representative from private health care. An advisory board constituted by eminent people from the public life, industry, science, and financial institutions is formed to oversee the function of IID.

COST OF THE IID

It is estimated that approximately $22.5 million (100 crores rupees) will be needed to achieve the objectives of the IID. The projected funds are for building the infrastructure, furnishings, organizational and consulting costs in the USA and India, appointment of necessary staff in India, recruitment of Indian diabetologists for training at the Mayo Clinic, designing and establishment of the state-of-the-art research facilities, and set up of endowed professorships at the IID. Allocation for faculty and public education should also be made.

Some of the philanthropic Indians have pledged donations ranging from $100,000 to $500,000. Several people have donated and pledged smaller amounts of money for the WIDF.

YOU CAN HELP THE WIDF AND IID BY

· Pledging your support. You may send the pledged money as a single payment or in installments over months or years.
· Sponsoring the 4 Indian diabetologists who would receive training at the Mayo Clinic.
· Sponsoring endowed professorships.
· Naming a research laboratory, the conference centers, library, or auditoriums of the IID in memory of your loved ones.
· Including IID in your wills and estate planning.
· Identifying potential physician, non physician, and corporate donors.

You may request additional information about WIDF and IID.