Institute of Human Virology in Baltimore commends Kerala govt for containing Nipah
Kerala Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan held a meeting with the Institute of Human Virology (IHV) in the University of Maryland in Baltimore on Saturday. The institute commended Kerala government for effective measures taken to prevent the spread of Nipah virus in Kerala.
Famous virologist and co-founder of the Institute, Dr Robert Gallo, was present at the meeting with Kerala CM and commanded the state's work on Nipah. Dr Robert Gallo, a bio medical researcher is known for his work in the discovery of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as responsible for acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Kerala state Health Minister, KK Shailaja was also part of the event.
Gallo along with various senior scientists of the institute and academic heads held a discussion with Pinarayi Vijayan and KK Shailaja. The meeting addressed the possibilities of collaborating with the Kerala government in setting up a virology department in Thiruvananthapuram.
Pinarayi Vijayan speaking at the Institute of Human Virology in Baltimore.
“Kerala state would like to collaborate with IHV in various fields of scientific study,” said CM Pinarayi Vijayan speaking at the IHV campus in Baltimore.
“This recognition given by IHV is a great honour for the state of Kerala, as we are a state that gives a great deal of importance to the public health sector,” said Vijayan.
Vijayan also went on to say that for a state to progress in the field of education as well as socio-economically, it is necessary for the people of the state to be in good health.
The Kerala Chief minister also spoke about plans of setting up of an international Ayurveda research centre in Kerala.
“There is a need to understand the different herbal and natural medicines that are used to cure diseases. If that happens, then we will be able to scientifically produce such medicines in large quantities,” said Vijayan.
“Kerala takes pride in the fact that the state after diagnosing Nipah in just two cases, took all measures to contain the virus,” said Vijayan.
It's for the first time that a Chief Minister of an Indian state was honoured by the institute in its history, said the CM's office.