Thiruvananthapuram: Eight months after the deadly Nipah virus killed 17 people in Kerala, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan launched the second virology institute in the country at Thonnakkal here on Saturday.
“Controversies are affecting the image of the state,” he said after inaugurating the phase-1A building of the Institute of Advanced Virology set up with the help of Global Virus Network.
“The challenges being faced in the health sector can be overcome through institutions like IAV,” he said.
After the National Institute of Virology was set up in Pune in 1978, the country's second virology institute has come up at Bio-360 Life Science Park at Thonnakkal, near Kumaran Asan Memorial, on the National Highway 47 (NH 544).
The foundation stone was laid eight months ago when the Nipah virus hit the state. At that time, the state health department faced a lot of difficulties as it had to send blood samples to Pune. Moreover, the blood test results taken at the private lab at Manipal had to be attested by the Pune lab.
The Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society Ltd completed the first phase of the building being constructed in 25 acres of land in record time. Mr Pinarayi VIjayan said that the GVN here will keep the state in good health compared to other states.
"The difference can be seen at the national level itself. The institute will focus on early diagnosis of viral diseases, improving our understanding about pathogens and planning preventive measures. The IAV will function under the guidance of Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment", he said.
In the first stage, a 28,000 sq. ft. area has been developed. In the second stage, 80, 000 sq. ft. space would be developed under the aegis of Kerala State Industries Development Corporation Ltd.
Dr. Robert Gallo, head of the Institute of Human Virology, Baltimore, who was supposed to deliver the keynote address, couldn't make it due to health reasons. In a televised speech, Dr. Gallo said that researchers from 45 centres in 29 countries are working under GVN.
Dr. M. V. Pillai, oncologist in the US, who is attached to Thomas Jefferson University, US, was instrumental in bringing GVN to Thonnakkal. Dr. Pillai said GVN would benefit the whole country.
"I am urging the chief minister that the motto of GVN should be the words of Asan. You make your life meaningful by helping others. At the recently held Loka Kerala Sabha, thousands of NRIs had come. Those who are interested to come back to their nest should be brought back", said Dr. Pillai.
