Department of Microbiology

Introduction

Microbiology is an ever expanding Medical science due to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases at the global level. Clinical Microbiologists assists the clinicians by providing identification of pathogens and suggesting treatment options. Using this information, a treatment can be devised. Other tasks may include the identification of potential health risks to the community or monitoring the evolution of potentially virulent or resistant strains of microbes, educating the community and assisting in preventing or controlling Pandemics, epidemics and outbreaks of disease. The Department of Microbiology can be conceptually subdivided into Academic medicine, Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory and Molecular research Laboratory. The Department of Microbiology offers 24 hours diagnostic services to the Karuna Medical College and Hospital, intents at providing accurate results on clinical material within the shortest possible time. This has been achieved by round the clock laboratory services in the central laboratory as well as the Diagnostic laboratory in the Medical college and use of state of the art equipment. It is divided into several sections which are under the control of the Head of the Department. The work was supervised and reports are delivered by the authorized faculty.

Clinical Microbiology Laboratory has the following subdivisions:

• Bacteriology
• Mycobacteriology
• Mycology
• Parasitology
• Serology
• Immunology
• Virology
• Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory
• Research Laboratory
• Environmental Surveillance
• Antibiotic Stewardship Program State and National level
• Hospital Infection Control

History

It was in 2004 that Karuna Medical College Hospital started and Department of Microbiology was attached to the hospital to cater to the laboratory services.

The Medical College started in 2006 with its first batch of students affiliated to University of Calicut under the academic leadership of Dr. Shereefa Beevi, MD.

The Microbiology Department head was Dr.R.K.Geetha.MD

The department soon moved to the fine new academic bloc. State of art Microbiology service laboratory was also inaugurated.

The Kerala University of Health Sciences (KUHS) came in to existence during the academic year 2010 and then onwards the college is affiliated with KUHS.

In the year 2012 the department welcome its first post graduate student to pursue MD Microbiology.

In the year 2019, Dr. Saathiqa MD came to the helm of the Department and in the year 2021 the baton has been handed over to Dr G. Kalaiselvi MD.

The molecular research laboratory (BSL Level 2) was added onto the department to answer the testing needs during the Covid 19 pandemic.

The National Medical Commission had brought in a sea change in the curriculum to be at par with international Standard. From the year 2021 onwards the II-year MBBS Microbiology curriculum is for a span of one year instead of the earlier 1.5 years.

Academic performances

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) had selected for the Ad-hoc research grant. the project titled "Characterization of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC): Biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance”.

Selected as one among the “Kerala University Of Health Sciences Elite6”-2014 Underwent Molecular Biology and PCR training: ▪ Manipal Centre For Clinical Virology(MCVR) :Basic course in PCR techniques, 2-4 Sept 2013

Winner in Research Contest: American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, (AAPI)- Global Health Summit, Ahmedabad January, 2014. The winner was chosen after oral presentation from among the nearly 60 abstracts submitted from around the nation and received a citation and a monetary award from Sri Gulab Nabi Azad and Vayalar Ravi, (India's Minister for Overseas Affairs then).

2014 Batch MBBS students won the prize at the student Microbiology Conference organised at AJ institute of Medical Sciences, Mangalore.

2015 MBBS student Aparna bagged the university gold medal for Microbiology in II MBBS professional examinations.

Initiated the application in 2017 for ‘SIRO”-certification by Directorate of Science and Industrial Research (DSIR), for Karuna Medical College.

2017 MBBS students bagged the Bronze medal in Microbiology quiz organised at the district level

Presented research proposal at the State workshop, Strategies to control bacterial pathogens affecting humans, animals and environment, organised by Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Sabitha Baby Page 4 Family Welfare Dept. Govt. of Kerala, at RGCB, Trivandrum on 4th January 2018

Got selected for the UK-India Researcher links multidisciplinary workshop in the area of affordable TB diagnostics for early career researchers at Chennai on June 3-6, 2019, organised by National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Chennai and University Of Edinburgh, Scotland.

KUHS HAPPENINGS: published article Evolution and applications of CRISPR -CAS

Department is Part of Expert Group, Working Committee for Antimicrobial resistance Kerala, Strategic Action plan and KARSNET.2017 -till date

Successfully completed ISO 15189: 2012 Medical Laboratories - Internal auditor Course and got NABL accredited

Participated in workshop “Transformation Through NAAC Accreditation Process, A National Level Workshop for Higher Educational Institutions” held on 21st & 22nd June 2021 conducted by "Institute for Academic Excellence, Hyderabad" in collaboration with "Collegiate Education & Technical Education Department, Telangana State.

Vision

Our primary focus is always to foster a well and vibrant learning community.

Mission

To ensure the physical, mental and social health of employees and students Department is committed to recognize and value, the overall development of its wards within the college to contribute to their wellbeing. To optimize wellness, now and for the future.

Objectives

The highest standards of professionalism, with an emphasis on quality of care,

The treatment of all individuals with respect and dignity

Commit to ongoing learning and development.

Our openness to new ideas and forms of expression, intellectual curiosity, willingness to take risks and entrepreneurial spi

Goal

The Department of Microbiology is vibrant with motivated faculty aspiring for excellence from Indian Medical Graduates in terms of Knowledge, Skills and Empathy while dealing with patients having infectious diseases caused by Bacteria, virus, fungi and parasites.