MDCRC (Molecular Diagnostics, Counseling, Care & Research Centre, http://www.mdcrcindia.org) is a not-for-profit charitable organization lead by Dr. B.R. Lakshmi and is working in the area of Public health with specific focus on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). These two lethal genetic disorders affecting kids do not have a cure till day. DMD is an X-linked recessive disorder, affecting male children, while SMA is an autosomal-recessive disorder, where consanguineous marriages increase the chance of a child born with the disorder. Molecular/ genetic diagnosis has crucial role in identifying, preventing and setting the base for future therapeutic strategies of these disorders. Till date, MDCRC has identified close to 1500 children affected with DMD, and 400 of SMA. The centre is a recognized referral center for Molecular Diagnosis for DMD and SMA, by the Health and Family Welfare Department, Tamil Nadu.

Operating since 2006, MDCRC has evolved from Molecular Diagnostic Facility to MDCRC, a complete comprehensive provider of a holistic service to the families with children affected with DMD and SMA. Services include Diagnostics, counseling, Multi disciplinary clinical care to a world class DNA bank and registry services - all offered free of cost to patients. MDCRC now has 12 full-time employees ranging from Bachelors and Master’s degree holders to M.Phil and Ph.D holders. In addition, it also hosts part time clinical consultants. The on-going programme/ project is under National Rural Health Mission covering 5 Health Unit Districts of Tamil Nadu, viz., Coimbatore, Tirupur, Dharapuram, Erode and Salem. MDCRC is the only centre in India offering such comprehensive care for the disorder as per International Guidelines. Multidisciplinary care involving Pediatrics, Neurology, Orthopedics, Pulmonology & Cardiology is being offered systematically on alternate Saturdays of each month with a committed panel of clinicians. We have good accounting practices and our financials are audited as per federal norms.We continue to focus on our patients’ needs completely with sensitivity, MDCRC’S motto being ‘To do what ought to be done but would not have been done unless we did it. We thought it is our duty’

For more details visit www.mdcrcindia.org