DPHE Booklet

The need for a master’s degree in Medical and Veterinary Entomology stems from many causes: there are many emerging/re-emerging vector diseases; vector control is the main strategic approach for vector-borne disease control; the teaching of medical and veterinary entomology is receiving less attention; the discipline is evolving constantly; and there has been a dramatic decrease of medical- veterinary entomologists worldwide.

Population growth and distribution predicted over future decades pose increased risks of disease outbreaks and emergence of new diseases globally.  Public Health Entomology comprehensively examines vector-borne disease prevention, surveillance, and control from a governmental and public health perspective with worldwide application. Scientists from many disciplines, veterinarians, health-care practitioners, public health workers and policy makers are needed to provide public health surveillance, make new discoveries, and find solutions to address these risks.

In the struggle against vector-borne diseases, it is critical that we bridge the gap between vector control workers on the ground (practitioners) and public health planners and administrators. Experiencing the dearth of guidance in this field, The Insect, Microbial and Herbal control laboratory came up with the concepts, design, and implementation of a sound public health entomology Diploma. Thus master’s degree programme has been planned involving university including the opportunity for field work in VBD-endemic countries. The course will include training in vector systematics, vectorial ecology, population genetics (of vectors), genomic and post -genomics and vector control. This is to be followed with laboratory and field activities and with practical training in an affiliated laboratory.

The post-Graduate course in Public Health Entomology focused on insects and other arthropods that serve as vectors and reservoirs of disease pathogens, and are responsible for the direct and indirect causation of disease. It also includes overview of some of the most common public health pests that are found globally.

India is suffering from a hosts of vector-borne diseases such as Malaria, leishmaniasis, plague, Dengue, DHF, CCHF and other arboviruses that keep resurging or re-emerging, causing morbidity, mortality and disability. This diploma programme nicely fits into the priority need for capacity building of vector control staff that are being recruited by the Health institutes. This will strengthen public health sector. Therefore, this course will fill the existing gap of trained manpower in this specialized field.

Most of the posts of Entomologists in many States of India are lying vacant. Apart from the State Health Departments, National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), National rural Health Mission (NRHM), National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) and ICMR Institutes (VCRC, CRME, NIMR and RMRC) require personnel with knowledge and expertise on epidemiology and prevention/control of vector borne diseases for their programmes pertaining to vector borne diseases.

The critical mass of experts produced will also fill the gap of non-existing indigenous applied research in India and some of them may go for higher studies and teaching positions.

After completion, the diploma students will be able to:

• Preparing good epidemiologist as per WHO mandate.

• Increase in Health Professionals and Researchers for the surveillance and control of vector Borne disease like malaria, chiken guniya , dengue, filariasis etc.

• Identify major vector-borne diseases and the vector species/pests responsible for transmission of these diseases

• Plan, implement, monitor and evaluate vector control programmes based on integrated Vector and Disease Management approaches in accordance with the prevailing epidemiological, social and economic conditions.

• Apply acquired knowledge for the control and prevention of vector-borne diseases in the country.

• Enhancing regional knowledge of the major vectors and vector-borne diseases

• Skilled manpower to conduct entomological surveillance and operational research.

• To conduct research on different aspect of vector-borne diseases and their vectors present in India.

• To provide country with qualified entomologist / vector control expert every year.

An entomologist for the public health department would commonly get following career opportunities:

• Employment opportunities in the public health sector include environmental and health service agencies, mosquito control programmes, the centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Department of Defense, World Health Organization (WHO) and Govt. of India

• A public health entomologist can opt scientific research field to excel further and discover new drugs for vector born diseases prevailing.

• Pest control officer/worker is a career directly linked to Public health.

• Students with an academic degree can pursue a career as a researcher or assist law enforcement with a career as a forensic entomologist.

• A diploma holder can choose undergraduate and graduate education sector, including co teaching aMedical Entomology course and developing a course in their area of expertise and mentoring graduate students.

• Epidemiologist / Entomologist at various disease control centres like National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) Govt of India New Delhi, National centre for Disease Control (NCDC),Govt of India,NewDelhi,Health Centres.

• Communitymedicine departments of allmedical colleges

• All International dealing with Entomology, Epidermology Institutions & Public Health

• Employment opportunities in the public health sector include environmental and health service agencies, mosquito control programmes, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization, and the Pan Indian Health Organizations.

• Students completing this diploma will be competitive for employment in related disciplines, such Public Health sector, Epidemiology, and Entomology, as well as professional labs and Academic institutions.

• Ever since its beginning the PG diploma in Public Health Entomology, has gained the momentum and we welcomed the first batch of DPHE in July-2017, that included meritorious and dynamic students.

• The Post Graduate Diploma in Public Health Entomology (DPHE) will be a self financed course and will be run by Department of Zoology, Mohanlal Sukhadia University and All India Institute of Medical Science, Jodhpur (Raj.)

• For admissions, the MLS University, Udaipur will publish advertisement on website and newspapers.

• Admission process, examination, result declaration and award of PG Diploma will be taken care by MLS University, Udaipur.

• During first eight months of the Diploma students will study the theoretical part and perform about all aspects of required basic experiments at Department of Zoology, MLS University, Udaipur.

• The Department of Community Medicine will impart the clinical training to the PG Diploma students related to medical aspects treatment prophylaxis and control of malaria, chickengunya, dengue etc.

• During clinical training in Jodhpur, the hostel facility may be provided by the AIIMS, Jodhpur.

• The duration of the Practical/Clinical training at AIIMS Jodhpur will be of four months.

• The students will prepare dissertation which is to be submitted to MLSU at the time of examination.Hostel&all other facilities related to course.

Library, Central Instrument Labe (CIL), Canteen,Hostel&all other facilities related to course.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Number of seats: Twenty (20) candidates will be admitted every year from July of the academic year. 

• Essential Qualification: MSc. in Life Sciences (Preference to specialization in entomology), agricultural science with a base in entomology or MBBS/MPH/MVBS/Microbiology/ Biotechnology/BDS.

• Age: Up to 35 years as on 1st July of the admission year. SC/ST/OBC/PH candidates will be eligible for age relaxation as per Government of India rules. 

• Course Duration: This is a Full-time course over one academic year.

• Method of selection: The candidates would be selected for admission to the DPHME programme on the basis of written entrance test. The candidates would be required to appear for a personal interview after the entrance test.

• Fees-Rs 25,000 + Institutional Registration Fee per semester

The Diploma in Public Health Entomology (DPHE) will be awarded to candidate by MLSU UDAIPUR after completion of all the course requirements and payment of all dues. 

Details of syllabus and admission process can be obtained from www.entomlsu.com