Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Science Congress to evolve action plan against epidemics

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The 20th Kerala Science Congress beginning here on Monday will seek to evolve an action plan based on strategies and policies to tackle the challenges posed by the emergence of infectious diseases and epidemics in Kerala.

The action plan will be based on a holistic approach integrating modern medicine and Ayurveda. It will focus on developing immunity to diseases, strategies to manage an epidemic outbreak and a long- term policy to check infectious diseases from taking a toll.

Two expert committees, one each for modern medicine and Ayurveda, have been constituted to prepare the action plan. Both the committees will discuss various issues relating to the challenges posed by emerging infections in Kerala and come up with strategies for management.

The expert committee for modern medicine will be chaired by Dr.B.Ekbal, former Vice-Chancellor, Dr.K.V.Krishna Das, former Professor of Medicine, Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, Dr. Ramdas Pisharody, Principal, Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram and Dr.K.Shylaja, Director of Health Services.

Dr.K.Sankaran, Director, Ayurveda Medical Education, Dr.C. Sureshkumar, general secretary, Centre for Innovations in Science and Social Action, Dr.Anita Jacob, Director, Indian Systems of Medicine, Dr.M.R.Vasudevan Namboodiri, Principal, Ayurveda College and Dr.G.G.Gangadharan, Vice-President, Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions have been chosen to chair the expert committee for Ayurveda.

The action plan is proposed to be implemented with people’s participation by applying preventive and promotional measures.

The approach paper to the Science Congress proposes a panchayat- or district-wide survey to trace the health problems prevailing at the local level. The survey would include epidemic diseases, infectious diseases, the areas where these diseases have struck, season of occurrence, the vectors responsible for transmission of the disease and other factors such as pollutants.

An epidemic management and research cell is to be set up under the Department of Ayurveda. The epidemic management cell will take up awareness programmes in educational institutions and public places and put up posters and banners in the local language.

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