A state-level dengue conclave was conducted at the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) on May 15, 2014. Organized jointly by AIMS, National Rural Health Mission and Directorate of Health Services Kerala, the conclave was a follow-up action of International Colloquium on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) held during February 25 – 26, 2014 at AIMS.

The conclave was inaugurated by Dr. Prem Nair, Medical Director, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi. The inaugural session was presided over by Dr. Haseena Muhammed, District Medical Officer, Ernakulam. Dr. Leelamony K., Professor and Head, Department of Community Medicine, AIMS felicitated. Attended by the top brass of Kerala health administration, the conclave discussed both state and district level action plans in combating the outbreak of dengue fever and other mosquito-borne diseases as Kerala is under a potential threat from a dengue outbreak after the onset of summer rains.

Dr. A. S. Pradeep Kumar, Additional Director of Health, spoke on Vector-borne Diseases in Kerala scenario. Dr. M. G. K. Pillai, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, AIMS, spoke on Clinical Management of Dengue. The Preventive Aspects of Dengue was explored by Dr. K. N. Panicker, Emeritus Professor, Department of Community Medicine, AIMS. Dr. Alexander John, Professor, Department of Community Medicine, AIMS, discussed the Epidemiological Perspectives of Dengue. Dr. Paul Francis, Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, AIMS presented on Epidemic Preparedness of Dengue. Monitoring and Evaluation of Action Plan Implementation of Dengue was discussed by Dr. K. V. Beena, State Programme Manager (RCH) NHM and District Programme Manager, Ernakulam.

Dr. Dilip Kumar, State Malaria Chief, discussed on Operational Guidelines for Mosquito Control. Dr. Aswathy S., Professor, Department of Community Medicine, AIMS, spoke on the topic – Way Forward for Dengue Control and Sri. Deepak Dharmadam, Executive, Amrita TV, discussed on the subject, Dengue Control and Media. 

The conclave was coordinated by Dr. Beena K. V., State Programme Manager (RCH) NHM & District Programme Manager, Ernakulam and Dr. K. N. Panicker, Emeritus Professor, Department of Community Medicine, AIMS.

May 15, 2014
Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi