The Department of Infectious Diseases (ID) at Christian Medical College, Vellore provides highest quality patient care with compassion, teaching and research in the best academic tradition. We offer both inpatient and outpatient clinical services related to the care of patients with infections. In addition to consultative services for complex ID problems, we provide evaluation and excellent care for common problems such as fever of unknown origin, tuberculosis, typhoid, urinary tract infection and HIV infection.

Being a referral centre, we also treat rare infections. We are keen on all aspects of research – basic, clinical and epidemiological- for which we have a dedicated team of highly trained researchers apart form the clinical scientists, who are experienced in different areas of the field. Diversity in areas of interest in research and clinical expertise complements patient care, thus enhancing the quality. We also conduct various training programs including a Post Doctoral Fellowship in ID, Fellowship in HIV Medicine, Global Health training and international short course in Tropical Medicine. 

The department comprises the Clinical Infectious Diseases Unit, Infectious Diseases Training & Research Centre (IDTRC) and Benjamin Pulimood Laboratories for Infection & Immunity (BMPLII). The Infectious Diseases (ID) Unit was founded in the year 2002. Since then, the division has become well-recognised for excellence in evidence based patient care, research, academics and training. The timing of its inception could not have been more opportune, as the TB/HIV epidemic was about to shake the medical foundation of this nation and resistance to antibiotics was becoming a public health threat. At a time, when even touching a HIV infected patient was considered anathema by many doctors, the Infectious Diseases Unit in CMC, Vellore led the way forward in educating doctors and laymen alike and thus helping the HIV infected patients to be not only accepted, but also function as part of a normal society.

However, the department’s expertise goes beyond TB/HIV to include a variety of other challenging problems such as post- transplant and hospital acquired infections to rare fungal and parasitic infections, which land up in our hospital from all across the country and also some parts of the world.  

‘Why are these tropical diseases still neglected? What’s coming in the way of their elimination?’ 

Nature India & Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi) spotlights neglected tropical diseases in a podcast featuring professors from CMC Vellore, along with three other speakers.