Manipal Center for Infectious Diseases (MAC ID) was launched in the year 2016 with an aim of fostering research and training collaborations in the field of infectious and tropical diseases at MAHE.

Mission: To achieve excellence in infectious diseases research and training through interdisciplinary and international collaborations and to promote translation of knowledge into policy and practice.

Objectives

• To achieve excellence in Infectious Diseases Research
• Hold educational activities in Infectious Diseases
• Promote translation of knowledge into policy and practice
• Faculty and student exchanges
• International and Interdisciplinary collaboration

Achievements of MAC ID: Infectious Diseases Research:

Grants: Research Grants have been received from several funding agencies.

Projects: Multicentric international study - Determinants of Antimicrobial use and De-escalation in Critical Care (DIANA Study), participating centers: KMC, Manipal and KMC Mangalore - Completed

Educational Activities:

a)      Conferences

To promote continuing medical education in Infectious Diseases among various institutions and departments of Health Sciences in MU, MAC ID sponsors ID related conferences

From 2016 to 2019 – 19 Conference/CME/ Symposium/ Guest Lecture conducted

b)     Observing World Health Day

To promote awareness of various Infectious Diseases among health care professionals and public, MAC ID supports the observation of ID-related World Health Days.

c)      Student travel award

To promote interest in Infectious diseases research, travel awards will be awarded to students conducting research in the area of Infectious Diseases (ID) and presenting ID related study findings in conferences.

From 2016 to 2019 – 20 student travel was awarded.

Translation of knowledge into policy and practice

1. Saravu K. Contributed to manual on Kyasanur Forest Diseases prepared by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka in 2019 (in press)
2. Dr. Chiranjay Mukhopadhyay, Dr. Vandana KE, Saravu K. Invited editor for “Melioidosis CD Alert” by National Center for Disease Control, New Delhi - April 2019
3. Dr. Kavitha Saravu delivered a presentation on “Clinical perspectives of KFD” at the National consultation on Kyasanur Forest Disease: An Emerging Pathogen in India” organized by National Center for Disease Control, New Delhi and WHO, India at Bangalore on 20-21st August 2019.

Faculty and student exchanges

•  Student Exchange program (From McGill University)
• McGill Summer Course: the aim is for capacity building in research in Infectious Diseases and faculty exchange at Manipal Academy of Higher Education, MAC ID sponsors deserving faculty to attend McGill Summer Courses in McGill University, Canada.

International collaborations

At present: collaborations with McGill University, Canada; Mayo Clinic, USA and University of Berlin, Germany

Coordinator:

Dr Kavitha Saravu (Professor & Head, Department of Infectious Diseases, KMC, MAHE, Manipal) is the Coordinator.

Email ID: kavitha.saravu@manipal.edu