Kolkata: A health unit on the outskirts of Kolkata has received Rs 63-crore funding from the US-based John C Martin Foundation, Liver Foundation West Bengal (LFWB), the beneficiary based in Sonarpur, will now start research on various liver diseases, with obesity-linked liver diseases being one of its core areas.
John C Martin, a scientist, philanthropist and founder of the foundation, had invested funds to set up the Indian Institute of Liver and Digestive Sciences (ILDS). After his demise in 2021, his foundation continues to provide funds for the John C Martin Center for Liver Research and Innovations (JCMLRI), which was officially inaugurated on Wednesday.
“In the initial days of IILDS, John used to tell us that medical care without research is fruitless. So we have decided to have a research centre,” said hepatologist Abhijit Chowdhury of WBLF, who is also on the scientific advisory board of JCMLRI.
Henry Masur of the National Institute of Health, who was present during the Wednesday inauguration, said: “John knew how to recognize genuine people and institutes, and the result is this research centre.”
The research wing, headed by Partha Pratim Majumder, includes notable figures such as Amal Santra, Pramod Garg of AIIMS and Shyam Kottilil of the University of Maryland.
“We met Chowdhury some 13 years ago when he said he was looking for funds to start a liver hospital. Though he is not around physically, I feel his presence every day. This was possible because of support from the govt — both central and state. — as well as private donors,” said Lillian Lou, a scientist who heads the John C Martin Foundation.