
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has designated the Paediatric Cardiac Program at Amrita Hospital, Kochi as a Collaborating Centre of Excellence. This prestigious recognition was attained on the basis of its track record with high quality research and publications, innovations and mentorship.
Since its establishment in 1998, the Paediatric Heart Program at Amrita Hospital, Kochi has consistently pursued contextually relevant research to address critical national priorities. The program has successfully executed fourteen grant-funded research projects and its faculty has collectively authored over 200 papers, many of which are featured in leading international journals.
A dedicated research facility oversees all grant-funded projects, manages comprehensive clinical databases, and facilitates clinical research within the department. The program has cultivated a culture of research, extending to all DM trainees who regularly contribute to leading international journals through the publication of their theses.
The Paediatric Heart Program's research endeavours have tackled numerous contextually relevant questions concerning the delivery of comprehensive paediatric cardiac care, particularly in low-resource environments. The team has developed and systematically tested several novel, cost-effective strategies for managing congenital heart defects, with findings disseminated in reputable international journals.
Going beyond institutional boundaries, the program has conducted large-scale community-based studies addressing paediatric heart disease, contributing valuable insights to the broader healthcare landscape.
The esteemed award was received by Dr R Krishna Kumar, Head and Dr Mahesh K, Clinical Professor from the Department of Paediatric Cardiology at Amrita Hospital, Kochi. The honour mandates a continued emphasis on research activities, innovation, and knowledge-sharing with other institutions across the country. This commitment includes actively building research capacity in the field of paediatric cardiac services.