In the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) is set to establish a dedicated research wing focused on infectious diseases in Mumbai. This strategic move aims to equip healthcare professionals and physicians with enhanced capabilities to manage infectious diseases efficiently in the future.
Situated at Kasturba Hospital in Chinchpokli, the research wing will be under the leadership of Dr. Jayanthi Shastri, the former head of microbiology at BYL Nair Hospital. Dr. Shastri, who previously oversaw the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) laboratory, will spearhead the initiative to further strengthen the response to infectious diseases.
Dr. Daksha Shah, Executive Health Officer at BMC, highlighted the key role of the wing, stating, “The wing will run fellowship courses on infectious diseases. We will be building and training cadre to handle various infectious diseases.”
Given Mumbai’s history as a hotspot for infectious diseases, including Swine flu, Covid-19, and tuberculosis, Kasturba Hospital, equipped with a PCR lab and a whole genome sequencing laboratory, will serve as an ideal location for the research wing.
An official from MUHS emphasized that the research wing will play a pivotal role in formulating treatment protocols for infectious diseases. “Infectious diseases have been on the rise for the last few decades. There was a need to have a research wing to not just find out what is happening in terms of viruses in the community but building healthcare professionals to deal with these diseases, set up treatment protocols and standard operation procedures,” the official stated.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will provide the necessary infrastructure, while MUHS will contribute to staffing. Although the specific courses are yet to be designed, Dr. Shah confirmed that the wing is slated to commence operations next month.
Dr. Subhash Salunkhe, an epidemiologist and former chairman of the state covid-19 taskforce, expressed the importance of the research wing.