CC No

IND-058-[SE]

Title

Research and Training in Lympathic Filariasis & Integrated Methods for Vector Control

Head of Institution

Dr P.K. Das, Director

PI Name

Dr P.K. Das

PI Designation

Director 

Institute Name

Vector Control Research Centre (VCRC), Pondicherry, India

Address

Indian Council of Medical Research,

Phone

91-413-272422, 272396, 272397 

Indira Nagar 

Fax

91 413 272041 

Pondicherry 605006 

E-Mail

vcrc@vsnl.com 

India 

HQ Unit

CTD/FIL

SEARO File

V2/72/1 

SEARO Department

CDS

Technical Unit

VBC

Area Code

VBC

Area

Vector Borne Disease Control

Functions of the Centre

Status Details

Initial Designation Date

25-Jul-1996 

Redesignation due on

4-Sep-2007 

Last Designation Date

5-Sep-2003 

Current Status

Redesignated 

Status Comments

The Centre completed its designation period on 10 March 2001. It was redesignated on 5 Sept 2003 vide letter no. V2/72/1 

Introduction

Origin of the proposal, technical programme which is sponsoring, reasons for proposed designation

the VCRC was first established at Pondicherry in July 1975. VCRC was designated as a WHO CC in 1985 for a period of seven years. it was redesignationed in 1992 for a period of four years and again in 1996 for a period of four years. VCRC has 35 research projects. 

Steps that have led to this proposal, eg site-visits by WHO staff, previous participation of the institution, joint development of a workplan, etc.

VCRC is closely collaborating with the WHO in carrying out research projects on lymphatic filariasis, vector control and other vector borne diseases. A regional training course on Comprehensive Vector Control is organised every year by the VCRC for South-east Asia region with the support ofWHO, SEARO. Several international concferences/seminars and workshops on Lymphatic Filariasis and Vector Control have been organized by the VCRC in collaboration with WHo during the last two years. 

Comments & Composition of the Institute

Vector Control Research Centre (VCRC) is one of the research institutes of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). VCRC has been enatged in Basic and Applied Research with the primary objective of finding newer methods and developing strategies for the control of LF and disease vector. VCRC has 35 research projects (20 intramural and 12 Extramurally funded and 3 Sponsored projects). 

Statutory functions of the institution ; formal links with other institutions

The Centre has academic link programmes with Oxford University (UK). Erasmus University (Netherlands) and St.Olaf College, USA. By fostering linkages with the Research Organizations and National Control Programmes, this Centre is involved actively in formulating Vector Borne Disease Control strategies and insecticide/drug usage Policy at National level. At the state and local level, the VCRC has been providing consultancy to Public Health Personnel and local bodies on mosquito/disease control. Evaluation f vector control agents of Pesticide Industries under sponsored research projects as per the guidelines of ICMR is also carried out. 

Administrative Structure

Administrative and Scientific Responsibility

Dr P.K. Das, Director 

National and International Advisory Boards ; Composition & Terms of Reference

The Centre has linkages with Local Departments of Public Health, Educational Institutes and other research institutes. It has also linkages with National Anti Malaria Programme, National Research Development Corporation, National Institute of Communicable Diseases, Central Drug Research Institute, Department of Sciences and Technology, Indian Space Research Organization, and Department of Biotechnology. At international, it linkages with WHO, Geneva, SEARO, CEE, WTCEID, Erasmus University, PAS (Polish Academic Sciences and International Foundation for Sciences, Swe3den. 

List of Senior Staff

See attached institutional profile for details. 

Facilities Available (labs, training facilities, documentation centre, etc.)

See attached institutional profile for details. 

Workplan

Terms of Reference

1. Epidemiological research that addresses the issues related to elimination of lymphatic filariasis
2. Application of Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographical systems (GIS) for epidemiology and control of vector-borne disease
3. Development of effective and sustainable drug delivery strategies and advocacy material for rural, semi-urban, urban and cosmopolitan areas for elimination of LF
4. Field test and operationalization of network models to predict the impact of various types of intervention
5. Clinical and field trials to evaluate the effectiveness of new control tools and diagnostic techniques including field trials of pesticides
6. Socio-economic and cost effectiveness studies
7. Training programme on comprehensive vector control (CVC) and integrated vector management (IVM)
8. Research on Vectors and vector control - biodiversity, vector taxonomy, vector bionomics, surveillance, control tools and strategies, vector resistance to insecticides and biocides
9. Product development
10. Parasite related studies

List Of Activities

Activity ID

Activity Title

Year1

Year2

Year3

Year4

01

Epidemiological research that addresses the issues related to elimination of lymphatic filariasis

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

02

Application of Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographical Systems (GIS) for epidemiology and control of vector-borne disease

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

03

Development of effective and sustainable drug delivery strategies and advocacy material for rural, semi-urban, urban and cosmopolitan areas for elimination of LF

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

04

Field test and operationalization of network models to predict the impact of various types of intervention

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

05

Clinical and field trials to evaluate the effectiveness of new control tools and diagnostic techniques including field trials of pesticides

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

06

Socio-economic and cost effectiveness studies

No

Yes

Yes

No