Free and Healthy Children International

Keywords: Epidemic, Prophylaxis, RAECH, Genus Epidemicus, repertorization

Abstract: RAECH is an epidemic management platform formed by the Department of Homeopathy, Govt of Kerala, India for making the preventive and curative activities authentic and standardized.

Image In Kerala state, all preventive medical camps are conducted as per the guidelines and leadership of RAECH.

Introduction: RAECH is the common platform for epidemic management formed by the Department of Homeopathy, Govt of Kerala, by obtaining a Govt. order in the year 2004 (G.O (Rt) No: 2543/04/H & FWD dated 07/09/2004). It includes Homeopathy department authorities in Kerala state, District medical officers and medical officers, experts from the Central research institute in Homeopathy, Kottayam (CCRH), Head of the department of Social and Preventive medicine from Homeopathic colleges, representatives from various Homeopathic organizations, private Homeopaths from the affected areas, and other experts in the field of prophylaxis.

RAECH has one administrative and one advisory body, both have committee in state level and district level as well. There is a state coordinator and many regional conveners appointed by the department for making epidemic management effective, even under emergency situations with limited time schedule.

During epidemic threat, as per the reports from various sources, there will be a district level meeting, and then the team appointed will study the affected cases to select the Genus Epidemicus by double repertorization. Finally, the state committee will officially announce the Genus epidemic for each area as per the report from the district level committee. The medicines will be given through various dispensaries and hospitals in government and the private sector, also through medical camps arranged by the institutions and various organizations and individual homeopaths.

There are also four boat dispensaries called Floating Homeopathic Dispensaries in places like Alappuzha where the water transport system is the only route to reach the remote islands. This area is often affected by epidemics, so boat dispensaries, which work on regular basis, will be also distributing Prophylaxis medicines along with treatment. In Kerala, all preventive medical camps are conducted as per the guidelines of RAECH.

It is also mandatory to collect the feedbacks after every prophylaxis camp, which has to be submitted to the RAECH for record keeping and statistical analysis. All RAECH medical camps are funded by the various sectors of the government funds. There is always good support from the central government, state government, and local governments that govern the villages, towns, and cities.

After the formation of AYUSH ministry, Homeopathy is getting more support from the government. Till date, RAECH has successfully managed various epidemics in Kerala state, rendered remarkable services during epidemics like Japanese Encephalitis, Dengue, Chikungunya, Chickenpox, Hepatitis A, Cholera, H1N1, Mumps, Conjunctivitis, etc.