Introduction:
The Regional Filaria Training & Research Centre established in 1955 is now functioning as a branch of the Helminthology Division of the National Institute of Communicable Diseases, Delhi. A field station of this center, B.malayi Research Unit is functioning at Cherthala, Alappuzha district.
Research studies on biochemical, clinical, epidemiological, entomological, immunological, socio-economic and therapeutic aspects of lymphatic filariasis both Wuchareria bancrofti and Brugia malayi are undertaken in this centre and its field station at Cherthala. Diagnostic and referral services on filariasis are provided to public and medical institutions.
Teaching and training on filariasis and its control are imparted to Medical Officers/Biologists, Filaria Inspectors/Technicians and other field staff employed under National Filaria Control Programme in the country. Short duration lecture cum demonstration classes on filariology are also given to students of medical colleges, School of Nursing and Trainees of Health and family Welfare Training Centre.
Filaria Clinics: Two day
clinics-twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays and two night
clinics twice a week on Mondays and Tuesdays are being
conducted. Patients were examined and treatment/ advice
given during day clinics. Blood smears were collected from
persons attending the night clinics and examined for
evidence of microfilaraemia. Up to 2000, 209487 patients
were given treatment/advice. Year wise patients attended the
day clinic and blood smears examined at night clinics from
1990 are as follows:
|
| S.no. |
Year |
Patients attended at Day clinic |
No.of blood smears collected at Night clinic |
No. +ve for microfilaria |
Mf rate |
| 1 |
1990 |
6598 |
1338 |
13 |
0.97 |
| 2 |
1991 |
5818 |
1954 |
40 |
2.05 |
| 3 |
1992 |
5337 |
3505 |
26 |
0.74 |
| 4 |
1993 |
6227 |
3590 |
16 |
0.45 |
| 5 |
1994 |
5260 |
2815 |
12 |
0.43 |
| 6 |
1995 |
4721 |
1414 |
12 |
0.85 |
| 7 |
1996 |
4480 |
1157 |
6 |
0.52 |
| 8 |
1997 |
4144 |
1619 |
22 |
1.36 |
| 9 |
1998 |
3178 |
1753 |
63 |
3.59 |
| 10 |
1999 |
2762 |
1160 |
45 |
3.88 |
| 11 |
2000 |
2367 |
1146 |
38 |
3.31 |
| Total |
50892 |
21451 |
293 |
1.36 |
|
Training:
|
| Category | No.trained (upto 2000) |
- Medical officers/Biologists
| 306 |
- Health Inspectors
| 854 |
- Administrative Medical Officers
| 42 |
- Other field workers
| 8051 |
|
Projects being undertaken at this centre:
17 Entomological surveillance of vector borne diseases in Alappuzha
district.
Multicentric study on operational feasibility and impact of
co-administration of albendazole and DEC in controlling lymphatic filariasis in Alappuzha and
Calicut districts of Kerala State.
To develop lymphoedema management facility at NIC branches and study the
operational feasibility.
Studies on the susceptibility status of mosquito larvae to the commonly
used larvicides in Kerala.
Studies on the susceptibility status of mosquito vectors of diseases to
various insecticides in Kerala State.
Studies on the surveillance of Aedes species of mosquitoes in Kerala
State.
Studies on the effect of DEC on microfilaria carriers - biochemical and
parasitological aspects.
|
