Airport Health organisation, Mangalore is a ‘Public Authority’ established for the detailed execution of the Policies of the Government of India with the status of a ‘Subordinate Office’ of Directorate General of Health Services under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Nirman Bhavan, New Delhi. This Public Authority functions with the funds provided by the Government of India.

The Airport Health Organisation, Mangalore was established in the year 1st December 2018 to ensure prevention of entry of Quarantinable diseases (Diseases subjected to International Health Regulations) into the country under Indian aircraft and Public Health Rules, 1954.

Mangalore International Airport is located in Bajpe, Dakshin Kannada District, Mangalore, Karnataka and is one of the main airports in the country catering to international and domestic air-traffic in Karnataka and is the 2nd largest and 2nd busiest airport in Karnataka . Mangalore International Airport caters to around 6-7 international flights (arrival) and 1200 to 1500 international passengers per day and 24 domestic flights daily.

The airport was named Bajpe Aerodrome, when it opened on 25 December 1951. Mangalore Airport was a customs airport from 2006 to 2016 and was used for limited domestic flights before it was granted the status of International airport. The International flights started in 2006. It is on top of a hill, with table top runways. It is the first airport in Karnataka to have 2 runways.

In July 2019, the central government approved leasing of the airport through public-private partnership (PPP) to the Adani Enterprises for operations, management and development for the next 50 years.

1. Surveillance of diseases notified by Government of India: Disease surveillance at Airport Health Organisation basically includes 2 categories
   1. Disease surveillance on regular basis like surveillance of Yellow Fever disease. As per the standard protocol, all international passengers are screened by Immigration Officers. Passengers coming from Yellow fever infected countries without valid Yellow fever vaccination card are identified.If such passengers are identified by immigration officers, they are referred to Airport Health Organisation Mangalore Pre – immigration office for making decision regarding quarantine.
   2. Disease surveillance when a PHEIC is declared by World Health Organization and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare decides to initiate surveillance.
2. Quarantine of passengers: All the passengers who have transited through the Yellow fever endemic country during the last 6 days prior to their arrival in India and if they don’t have a valid vaccination certificate, they will have to be quarantined for 6 days. The quarantine starts from the date and the time they have started their travel from the affected country. During this period, they will be monitored for any signs and symptoms of yellow fever disease. If they develop any symptoms, blood sample will be collected and send for testing at authorised laboratory.
3. Surveillance of International Aircraft disinfection : As per the Indian Aircraft and Public Health rule, 1954 all the international flights coming to India should be disinfected. These aircraft will be carrying certificate/ Disinfection canisters to this effect and will be shown to the pre - Immigration office for verification.
4. Human remains Clearance : As per the Indian Aircraft and public health rule Para (4) 1954, aircraft operators/consignee should intimate APHO, Mangalore at least 48 hrs before the HUM is brought to airport. Following documents are required to be presented to Pre - Immigration office of Airport Health Organisation, Mangalore.
   1. Non-Objection Certificate from Indian embassy.
   2. Copy of the cancelled passport.
   3. Death certificate clearly showing the cause of death.
   4. Embalming certificate.
   5. Non- contagious certificate.
   The documents will be scrutinised and decision taken will be conveyed to the consignee/aircraft operators. Similarly clearance certificate is issued for on board death cases after examination of the body.
5. VVIP food surveillance
6. Implementation of FSSAI 2006 : The food outlets inside the terminal will be inspected frequently and their food hygiene practices will be thoroughly scrutinised and monitored.
7. Vector Surveillance : APHO staff with assistance from NCDC, Kozhikode undertakes periodic and regular monitoring of the vector control activity within the airport and 400 metre periphery of the airport.
Sanitary Inspection : Health Inspector and Field workers do regular sanitary inspection of the food outlets, Toilets, washrooms etc. Samples of the drinking water are taken by the airport operator under the supervision of the APHO, Mangalore from the water sources for testing and the results are monitored by this office.
8. Training : The Immigration officers and other stakeholders are trained periodically on Yellow Fever and PHEICs .
9. Flight Emergencies : APHO staffs will assist in any flight emergency occuring within the airport.
10. Duties related to public Health Emergencies of International Concern (PHEIC): As per the International Health regulations, Point of Entries should be in preparedness for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear emergencies (CBRN). Mangalore International Airport is fully prepared and a public health emergency contingency plan has been prepared by Airport Health organisation, Mangalore.
11. Any other task assigned by the Ministry from time to time.

Officer Incharge

Dr. K.A. Shyamini
        

Address :

Airport Health Organisation, Mangalore International Airport, Kenjar Post, Bajpe, Mangalore, Pin- 574142
Port Health Officer, Cochin

Phone/Fax :

0484 – 2666060

Email :

shyamini[dot]ka[at]gov[dot]in , pho[dot]cochin-dghs[at]gov[dot]in