Kerala University of Health Sciences centres of excellence soon

KOCHI: As part of expanding its activities and extending reach to benefit all spectrums of students in health sciences, the Kerala University of Health Sciences (KUHS) will set up eight research centres and four schools across the state.  The eight centres will come up at its headquarters in Thrissur where buildings to house them are under construction. The four schools are to be set up in Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Tripunithura and Kozhikode.  “We propose to start the activities at all the centres and schools by May end, and they will become full-fledged in one and half-years,” Dr M. K. C. Nair, vice-chancellor, KUHS, told DC on Tuesday.

The research centres are named Centre for Basic Sciences Research and Bio-ethics, Centre for Gerontological Studies, Centre for Disability Management Studies, Centre for Healthcare Counselling, Centre for Interdisciplinary Allied Health Sciences and Technology, Centre for Studies in Medical Simulation, Centre for Studies on Health of Young Adults and Centre for History of Medicine and Museum. The four schools are the Academic Staff College at Thrissur headquarters of KUHS, School of Health Policy and Planning, Thiruvananthapuram, School of Fundamental Research in Ayurveda, Tripunithura, and School of Family Health Studies, Kozhikode.

“Initially we plan certificate programmes in different subjects in these institutions, and later MPhil and PhD will be started. We are now selecting the faculty who will be trained using guest faculties. Students from all disciplines under health sciences including nurses and pharmacy students will get an opportunity to pocket additional valuable specialised qualifications here.  They can do research and undergo training,” he said. 

He said that some of the buildings to house these centres and schools are under construction.  “We plan to finish these works in a year and make the schools and centres full-fledged,” he said. Clinical skill simulation is a key area of focus apart from fundamental research in Ayurveda. Basic science research will also get a leg up while care of the elderly will be an area of thrust.   Healthcare counselling will focus on communication between healthcare personnel and patients and their relatives.