The Epidemic Control Activities in the Homoeopathy Department are effectively coordinated by the Rapid Action Epidemic Control Cell Homoeopathy (RAECH). The Government of Kerala sanctioned this project underGO(Rt) No: 2543/04/H & FWD dated 07/09/2004, and it officially commenced operations on 15-12-2004. RAECH plays a crucial role in epidemic control by distributing preventive medicines, conducting medical camps, and organizing health awareness programs and seminars across the state whenever epidemics arise.

A key initiative undertaken by RAECH is the Regular Officer Training Programme (ROTP), aimed at equipping Homoeopathic doctors with the knowledge and skills required to tackle emerging epidemics efficiently.

Organisational Structure of RAECH

RAECH is structured at both the state and district levels to ensure efficient coordination and execution of epidemic control measures.

At the state level, it consists of:

• High-Power Committee (HPC): The executive body chaired by the Director of Homoeopathy, with the Principal and Controlling Officer of the Homoeopathic Medical College and the Deputy Director of Homoeopathy as key members.
• State Level Expert Group (SLEG): An advisory body chaired by the Deputy Director of Homoeopathy, consisting of various domain experts.

At the district level, it consists of:

• District Level RAECH (DLR) (Executive Body): The executive body chaired by the District Medical Officer (Homoeo), with the Superintendent/Senior CMO of the District, Senior Superintendent of the DMO's office as key mem-bers.
• District Level Expert Group (DLEG) (Advisory Body): An advisory body chaired by the District Medical Officer (Homoeo), consisting of various domain experts.

The Trained Reserve Group (TRG)

The Trained Reserve Group (TRG) of the RAECH Project in Homoeopathy is a specialized task force established to provide immediate support during epidemic outbreaks. Comprised of trained homoeopathic professionals, including government medical officers and selected private practitioners, the TRG is equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to implement rapid response measures. Their primary responsibilities include administering homoeopathic prophylactics, conducting medical camps, collecting and analyzing field data, and educating the public on preventive healthcare and hygiene. Regular training sessions are conducted to ensure their preparedness for emergency deployment.

Methodology

On receipt of information about the outbreak of an epidemic, the DLR should at once swing into action, implementing the programme outlined above in an effective and time-bound manner.

The DMO(H) may receive inputs from the media, the press, the LSG institutions, or individuals to alert the DLEG about an epidemic. The DLEG collects first-hand information from the affected area, in the prescribed case formats, which are then studied by the DLEG and the Genus Epidemicus is ascertained. This is then submitted to the SLEG and on ratification, distribution of the Genus Epidemicus is done by the DLR with the help of the DLEG. DLEG would make an advanced study as to the probable epidemics that may outbreak in that District sufficiently early based on the previous years experiences or by collecting information from the Disease Surveillance Cell of the State, with a view of making the DLR equipped with the requirement of the Preventive Medicine along with the instruction notices to enable them to maintain a buffer stock of them.