The Department of Community Medicine, Kanyakumari Government Medical College & Hospital, successfully organized a Continuing Medical Education (CME) program titled “Rabies Updates: CARE or FEAR” on 30/08/2025. The event brought together distinguished faculty, medical students, and clinicians to discuss the latest developments in rabies prevention, diagnosis, and control.
Prof. Dr. K. U. Suresh Balan, Vice Principal and Head of the Department of Community Medicine, warmly welcomed the gathering and set the tone for the program by highlighting the relevance of rabies as an enduring public health challenge.
The inaugural address was delivered by Prof. Dr. Leo David, who emphasized the critical importance of post-exposure prophylaxis and pet vaccination in reducing rabies incidence. The event was graced by the presence of Prof. Dr. Kingsly Jebasingh, Medical Superintendent, and Dr. Vijayalakshmi, RMO, who expressed their support for ongoing rabies awareness initiatives.
Followed by a Quiz program was organized for UG students
The CME featured a series of insightful lectures delivered by eminent speakers:
Prof. Dr. K. U. Suresh Balan presented an excellent overview on the Epidemiology of Rabies, detailing its global and national burden, transmission patterns, and prevention strategies.
Prof. Dr. Ashwathnarayana, Department of Community Medicine, Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangalore, delivered a comprehensive update on Recent Advances in Rabies Management, including newer trends in vaccination and post-exposure protocols.
Prof. Dr. Sharada, Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Quality-Managed WOAH Reference Laboratory for Rabies, Bangalore, gave an engaging talk on Diagnosis and Surveillance of Animal Rabies: Our Initiative, highlighting laboratory innovations and intersectoral coordination.
The interactive
The CME concluded with a heartfelt Vote of Thanks by Dr. M. Gopal, Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, who acknowledged the invaluable contributions of all speakers, participants, and organizers in making the event a resounding success.