The Amrita Hospital, Kochi has achieved a significant milestone by being designated as a Collaborative Centre of Excellence in the domain of venomous snakebite by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). This unique honour was conferred upon the institute during a ceremony held at the ICMR headquarters in New Delhi.

Representing the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences at this prestigious event were Dr. Jaideep C Menon, Consultant Cardiologist (AIMS, Kochi), and Dr. Bipin Nair (Dean & HoS; Professsor, School of Biotechnology, Amritapuri) who were honoured with a plaque presented by the Director General of ICMR, Dr. Rajeev Behl. This collaborative centre is the first of its kind in the country, marking a pioneering initiative in the field of venomous snakebite management.

The ICMR’s decision to designate the AIMS as a Collaborative Centre of Excellence stems from the institute’s remarkable contributions to the therapeutic, preventative, capacity building, awareness creation, and research aspects of snakebite management. The team at Amrita, which includes experts such as Dr. VV Pillay (Toxicology), Dr. Gireesh Kumar KP (Emergency Medicine), Dr. TP Sreekrishnan (Emergency Medicine), Dr. Sabarish B Nair (Emergency Medicine), Dr. Muralidharan V, and Dr. Aravind MS, has been at the forefront of advancing the field of snakebite treatment and research.

The collaborative centre’s work has had a profound impact on public health, not only in the region served by AIMS but throughout India. The official recognition by ICMR underscores the importance of their contributions to mitigating the effects of snakebites and improving the overall healthcare ecosystem. This establishment signifies a collective effort to combat snakebite-related morbidity and mortality, showcasing the dedication and expertise of the team at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences.