Prime Minister Tony Abbott has opened a world-class medical research facility in Adelaide for the benefit of all humanity. The new research centre will bring together 600 scientists to continue working on various research projects. The South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) opened last Nov. 28 which is partly funded by the previous Labour government for $200 million.

Mr Abbott acknowledged the effort of former Prime Minister Julia Gillard for supervising the funds but added that the medical centre did not belong to any political side. Mr Abbott said the centre does not even belong to South Australia since all work to be done will benefit the human race.

South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill said the new facility also represents the state's ambition to become a premier location for research. He said the centre's high-technology equipment and laboratories, scientists and researchers can work together to find solutions to mankind's most challenging diseases.

The new medical centre in Adelaide will focus on seven research areas like cancer, infection and immunity, mind and brain, heart, nutrition, women and babies, and indigenous health. The centre is only the first part of a larger medical district in Adelaide with research teaching facilities to be completed soon along with the new Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Australian babies with parechovirus

With the opening of the new medical research centre, scientists can find out more about viruses like the parechovirus which has affected Australian babies for the first time.

Doctors in Australia were warned of a new virus, the parechovirus, which causes babies under16 weeks to have fever, rashes and diarrhea. About 20 babies have already been diagnosed with the gastro and respiratory virus. In severe cases, the virus can develop into hepatitis or encephalitis.

The warning came after the New South Wales Health said the agency has been notified of 20 cases of parechovirus. The first cases of the diseases in babies were first reported more than 10 years ago. The U.S., Japan and Europe had experienced outbreaks of parechovirus.

Parents and health providers are encouraged to watch out for symptoms since babies can become sickly.

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