Kerala Sets Up Multi-Tier Committees to Strengthen Epidemic Preparedness
The Kerala government has announced the creation of a comprehensive epidemic management framework designed to improve preparedness, prevention, and surveillance of infectious diseases. The initiative also aims to streamline treatment protocols and ensure a coordinated response across all levels of the healthcare system.
To achieve this, the government has issued orders establishing four high-power committees: a State high-power steering committee, a State-level expert advisory committee, district-level steering committees, and institution-level steering committees.
The State high-power steering committee, chaired by the Health Minister and comprising senior health officials and heads of institutions, will be responsible for updating the State epidemic management plan. This includes preparing an annual epidemic calendar, enhancing early warning and surveillance mechanisms, updating standard treatment and quarantine protocols, and strengthening capacity building and preparedness of healthcare institutions and community-level coordination.
The epidemic management plan will clearly outline the specific preventive measures to be undertaken, their timing and location, and assign responsibility for each activity. It will also cover patient management, quarantine protocols, rehabilitation and psycho-social support mechanisms, media communication strategies, procurement protocols, inter-department coordination, and monitoring and reviewing mechanisms at the state and district levels.
The State-level expert advisory committee will engage with stakeholders, including government agencies, and study international and national best practices. It will submit proposals to the government with recommendations on updating the epidemic management plan.
At the district level, committees chaired by District Collectors will hold weekly meetings. Institution-level committees will meet daily to ensure that, in the event of an outbreak or reporting of an infectious disease, the necessary protocols are in place for patient management and containment of the infection.
