The programme will be open to medical graduates looking to enhance their knowledge and skills in the area of medical diabetology.
IGNOU's School of Health Sciences (SOHS) signed a memorandum of understanding with Hansa Med Cell, a company working in providing medical education, to launch a PG diploma programme for medical graduates in diabetes mellitus.
"Flexibility and outreach are the two important strengths of the university. We hope to use these strengths for improving health care, especially to the poorest sections of society," said P.R. Ramanujam, pro-vice chancellor of the university.
Srinivasan K. Swamy, group chairman of Hansa Vision, said: "Diabetes has become pandemic today. The International Diabetes Foundation estimates that the number of diabetes cases in India has doubled from 19 million in 1995 to 40.9 million in 2007. It is estimated that by 2030, every fifth person with diabetes will be an Indian."
"Hence we have taken up the herculean task of improving healthcare for diabetics in collaboration with IGNOU," he added.
The course will be launched January 2011 and will be offered through IGNOU study centres as well as the centres of Hansa Vision.