State Health Systems Resource Centre Kerala - SHSRC K

25/06/2025

International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
June 26, 2025
Theme: “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention. Break the Cycle.”

The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, observed on June 26 each year, was established by the United Nations in 1987 to promote coordinated global and multi-sectoral efforts in addressing the health, social and legal consequences of drug misuse and illicit trafficking,
The 2025 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) World Drug Report highlights increasing trends in synthetic drug use, rising health burdens, and the disproportionate impact on youth and communities. This year’s theme highlights the need to invest in prevention to break the cycle of addiction and organised crime. Stakeholders are urged to promote health-centred approaches, improve mental health access, support youth-focused interventions, and uphold policies based on human rights and dignity.

Need Help? Reach Out:
National Toll-Free Drug De-addiction Helpline (Govt. of India): 1800-11-0031
Kerala Vimukthi Mission: https://keralaexcise.gov.in/en/vimukthi-3/

24/06/2025

24/06/2025

10/06/2025

05/06/2025

World Environment Day

World Environment Day 2025 will spotlight one of the most urgent and fixable
environmental challenges of our time: plastic pollution. Hosted by the Republic of Korea, this year’s global campaign joins the UNEP-led movement to by raisingawareness and driving action at every level. The theme, “Ending Plastic Pollution Globally,”
emphasizes the growing scientific evidence on the harm plastics cause to our oceans, food systems, and even our bodies. While plastic pollution has infiltrated nearly every aspect of our environment, solutions are
within reach. This World Environment Day calls on individuals, communities, organizations, and governments to refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, and rethink how we use plastic. It also builds on the momentum of the 2022 global commitment toward a legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution. Together, we can shape a cleaner, more sustainable future.

31/05/2025

World No To***co Day 2025

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on every May 31 organises World No To***co Day, a global campaign to increase awareness of the negative consequences of to***co use. The theme of World No To***co Day 2025 is "Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on To***co and Ni****ne Products." The goal of this campaign is to expose the deceptive tactics used by the to***co and ni****ne industries to make their harmful products look appealing, especially to youngsters – this include the use of enticing product designs, attractive tastes, and glamorous marketing. The campaign aims to reduce youth initiation rates and assist current users in quitting by exposing their attraction to these items. World No To***co Day 2025 serves as a call to action for individuals, communities and
governments to recognize and counteract the to***co industry’s tactics, promoting a healthier to***co free future for all.

മേയ് 31 ലോക പുകയില വിരുദ്ധ ദിനം

ലോകാരോഗ്യ സംഘടനയുടെ (WHO) നേതൃത്വത്തില്‍ എല്ലാ വര്‍ഷവും മേയ് 31 ന് ലോക പുകയില വിരുദ്ധ ദിനമായി ആചരിച്ചു
വരുന്നു. പുകയില ഉപയോഗത്തിന്റെ ദോഷകരമായ ഫലങ്ങളെക്കുറിച്ച് അവബോധം വളര്‍ത്തുകയും പുകയില ഉപയോഗം കുറയ്ക്കുന്നതിന് ഫലപ്രദമായ നയങ്ങള്‍ക്കായി വാദിക്കുകയും ചെയ്യുക എന്നതാണ് ഇതിന്റെ ലക്ഷ്യം. ഈ വര്‍ഷത്തെ പ്രമേയം: പുകയില, നിക്കോട്ടിന്‍ ഉല്‍പ്പന്നങ്ങളുമായി ബന്ധപ്പെട്ടുള്ള വ്യവസായ തന്ത്രങ്ങളും അവയെ തുറന്നുകാട്ടലും. ഇതൊരു ആഹ്വാനമാണ്. ആകര്‍ഷകമായ ഡിസൈനുകള്‍, പുതിയ രുചികള്‍, സിനിമാറ്റിക് ആകര്‍ഷണങ്ങളുള്ള പരസ്യങ്ങള്‍ എന്നിവ വഴി, പുകയില വ്യവസായം യുവജനങ്ങളെ ലക്ഷ്യമാക്കി പുകയില ഉത്പന്നങ്ങളിലേക്ക് ആകര്‍ഷിക്കുന്നു.
2025-ലെ ലോക പുകവലി വിരുദ്ധ ദിനത്തിന്റെ ലക്ഷ്യം, യുവജനങ്ങളെ ലക്ഷ്യമാക്കി, പുകയില ഉത്പന്നങ്ങളിലേക്കുള്ള ആകര്‍ഷണം തടയുകയും പുകയിലയുടെ പ്രത്യാഘാതങ്ങളില്‍ നിന്നുള്ള മോചനത്തിനുള്ള മാര്‍ഗങ്ങള്‍ പ്രചാരിപ്പിക്കുകയും ചെയ്യുന്നതാണ്. വ്യവസായ തന്ത്രങ്ങള്‍ തുറന്നുകാട്ടുന്നതിനും ഭാവി തലമുറയുടെ ആരോഗ്യം സംരക്ഷിക്കുന്നതിനും നമുക്ക് ഒരുമിച്ച് നില്‍ക്കാം.

***coday ***co

24/05/2025

A workshop on “Life Course Approach in Qualitative Research” was held at SHSRC-Kerala on 13 May 2025. Dr. V. Jithesh Executive Director of SHSRC-Kerala introduced the lead facilitator, Dr. Sundari Ravindran T K, retired Professor, AMCHSS-SCTMIST, who has extensive experience working with international organisations including WHO Geneva office and vast research experience.
The workshop started with a brief overview of the life course approach by Dr. Sundari, followed by interactive group presentations by SHSRC-K’s research wing based on key readings shared by the facilitator in advance. This was followed by extensive discussions on the use of LCA in the papers presented and clarification of doubts. Dr. Sundari then elaborated on core concepts such as intersectionality, embodiment, and weathering. Team members also presented ongoing research studies, exploring the feasibility of integrating the life course approach and generating new research ideas.
The workshop concluded with an interactive Q&A session and a vote of thanks from Dr. Parvathy Thampy, Research Officer SHSRC-Kerala.

16/05/2025

National Dengue Day
May 16

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral illness caused by the dengue virus, transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. In Kerala, the combination of a humid climate, frequent rains, and water storage practices creates ideal conditions for mosquito breeding, leading to a rise in dengue cases, especially during and after the monsoon season.
These mosquitoes breed in clean, stagnant water found in items like flower pots, discarded containers, coconut shells, and water tanks. They bite mainly during early morning and late afternoon hours.
Key Symptoms of Dengue:
Sudden high fever
Headache with pain behind the eyes
Joint and muscle pain
Nausea, vomiting
Skin rash appearing a few days after fever

In some cases, dengue can become severe and lead to complications. If you are experiencing these symptoms, immediately visit a doctor for proper evaluation and care. Early medical attention is essential to prevent the condition from worsening.

Simple Prevention Tips:
Eliminate stagnant water around your home
Keep water containers tightly closed
Use mosquito repellents and sleep under mosquito nets
Wear long-sleeved clothing
Participate in neighbourhood clean-up efforts

Even 10 minutes a week spent checking and cleaning your surroundings can help prevent breeding.

This May 16 – National Dengue Day, let’s commit to protecting our families and communities. Small efforts at home can lead to big changes for Kerala.

15/05/2025

Applications are Invited

https://forms.gle/k1DH93auBw8JULov9

10/05/2025

Applications are Invited

04/05/2025

World Hand Hygiene Day- May 5th, 2025
“It might be gloves. It is always hand hygiene”

Each year the "SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands" campaign aims to progress the goal of maintaining a global profile on the importance of hand hygiene in health care and to ‘bring people together’ in support of hand hygiene improvement globally. The 2025 theme “It might be gloves. It is always hand hygiene” emphasizes the importance of proper hand hygiene practices, even when gloves are used, and addresses the environmental impact of unnecessary glove use. Hand washing as a fundamental practice that can reduce disease transmission rates and protect individuals from getting infection if otherwise can be avoidable by following various water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices like using soaps for washing hands or using hand sanitizers wherever water availability is limited.

02/05/2025

The State Health Systems Resource Centre (SHSRC) Kerala and the National Health Mission (NHM) Kerala, in collaboration with the Mariwala Health Initiative (MHI), organized a two-day Training of Trainers workshop for district-level officials.
The workshop was inaugurated by Dr. Reena K.J, Director of Health Services, who emphasized the Kerala government’s commitment to supporting the transgender community and creating an inclusive health system for them. Dr. V. Jithesh, Executive Director of SHSRC Kerala, welcomed the participants and provided an overview of the Q***r Inclusive Health System (QIHS) Project, highlighting its objectives in bridging healthcare gaps for the LGBTQIA+ community.
The sessions, led by Dr. Shruti Chakravarty (Chief Advisor, MHI) and Pooja Nair (Faculty, MHI), covered crucial topics, including: Understanding challenges and barriers faced by the Transgender community, Facilitation skills (Active listening, effective communication, conflict resolution, and group energy management), Gender and Sexuality , Key terminologies and concepts, Unique life stressors of Trans persons, Gender Dysphoria, and transphobia prevention, concept of social death , Techniques for conducting effective awareness and sensitization programs.
District level officials from diverse cadre including Medical Officers, Psychiatrists, Nursing Officers, District officers and Field Staffs from the 6 districts implementing the Community Link Worker program -Ernakulam, Kozhikode, Thrissur, Trivandrum, Malappuram, and Kottayam, participated in the training. These nominated officials will now lead district-level sensitization and capacity-building initiatives, ensuring the successful rollout of the QIHS Project across Kerala.