Bhatt, who was here to attend a one-day seminar on `Prevention of Malaria and Leptospirosis', organised by the Preventive Social Medicine department of the New Civil hospital, said that a Rs 40-crore Malaria Control Project would also be set up in Surat.

Addressing the gathering, the minister said every year, approximately 1.70 lakh people of the state were affected by malaria and many succumbed to the disease. He said the government had taken up the issue with the British High Commission, which has already been working in the field.

The department for International Development, UK has already sanctioned a fund of Rs 40 crore for research in the field, Bhatt stated, adding research on malaria will be taken up at 126 villages of Surat district, and will include educating people about prevention of the disease.

Bhatt said the international agency had contributed Rs 12 crore for the Epidemic Forecast Centre to be set up in Ahmedabad.

Director S K Mahanty said a social development consultant from the UK, Chris Crosgrove, will help co-ordinate the project. Health Commissioner R M Patel, who was also present on the occasion, expressed satisfaction at the activities held in the region. Bhatt said the state government had sanctioned an additional Rs 45 lakh for research work on leptospirosis.

He reiterated the state government's resolve to provide all assistance as far as aid for research and medication of leptospirosis was concerned.

Dr Khadija Saifee, medical superintendent of the Surat New Civil hospital, Dr Vikasben Desai of the PSM department, collectors of Navsari and Surat, top district administration officials, among others were present for the seminar.