Allergy literacy in India: A national vision

THE FORGOTTEN EPIDEMIC: A VISION TAKES ROOT IN 1986

In the mid-1980s, large parts of South India, with a population estimated at over 300 million,^[1,2] had limited access to formally trained allergists and low public awareness of allergic diseases, which represented a significant gap in a region increasingly burdened by respiratory illnesses. Against this backdrop, in 1986, Dr. P. K. Vedanthan, in collaboration with Dr. H. B. Chandrasekhara, a local pulmonologist, and Mrs. Kamala Vedanthan, launched a Rotary-sponsored allergy and asthma outreach programme at KC General Hospital, a public facility in Bengaluru.

Initially planned as a 1-day camp, the programme expanded due to overwhelming community response, over 500 individuals, many previously undiagnosed, sought consultation and care. This early initiative revealed the depth of unmet need and the systemic neglect of allergic disorders in the Indian healthcare framework. Recognising the urgency and potential for scalable impact, Dr. Vedanthan initiated formal steps to institutionalise allergy care.

In 1987, he established South India’s first fully equipped Allergy and Asthma Center in Malleswaram, Bengaluru. Beyond clinical services, the centre served as a hub for awareness-building, structured training, and long-term capacity development, catalysing a broader movement to expand allergy education and care across the country.

INTERNATIONAL ASTHMA SERVICES (IAS): THE CATALYST ORGANISATION

Founded in 1992 by Dr. P. K. Vedanthan, the International Asthma Services (IAS) is a U.S.-based non-profit organisation with a mission to enhance asthma and allergy care for underserved populations through clinical outreach, education, diagnostics, and capacity-building initiatives.^[3]

Since its inception, IAS has supported allergy care delivery across multiple continents, with a focus on equity and accessibility. Its significant contributions include:

1. Providing free evaluation and treatment to over 46,000 patients

2. Conducting more than 250 outreach programmes in diverse settings, urban, semi-urban, and rural

3. Extending operations across Asia, Africa, and the Americas to address allergy care disparities in varying socioeconomic contexts.

IAS collaborates with global academic and service organisations to strengthen its initiatives, including professional bodies such as the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) and academic partners such as the University of Colorado’s Center for Global Health.^[3]

Its efforts are supported by a global volunteer network that has played a key role in sustaining long-term outreach and operational continuity.

DIPLOMA IN ALLERGY AND ASTHMA (DAA) AND THE GROWTH OF ALLERGY EDUCATION IN INDIA

In 2006, recognising the urgent need for structured allergy education in India, a collaborative effort between Dr. P. K. Vedanthan and Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, led to the launch of the country’s first formal training initiative—the Diploma in Allergy and Asthma (DAA). The programme was developed in collaboration with academic leaders in pulmonary medicine and structured as a blended learning model that combines didactic coursework, clinical rotations, and immersive sessions. It has since received endorsements from international academic bodies, including the AAAAI and the University of Colorado’s Center for Global Health.^[2,3]

Since its inception, the DAA has significantly contributed to workforce development in allergy care:

1. Over 800 clinicians have been certified through the DAA programme at CMC

2. An additional 3,700 healthcare providers have received structured training through affiliated educational modules

3. Several regions have reported improved access to trained allergy care providers, reflecting broader geographic distribution of services.

This educational framework has contributed to international recognition, with institutions such as CMC Vellore and Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi designated as Centers of Excellence by the World Allergy Organization, signalling growing global recognition of India’s leadership in allergy care.

National momentum continues to build, with structured allergy education programmes now also adopted by premier academic institutions such as the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, and the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh. These developments reflect an evolving commitment to integrating allergy medicine into mainstream medical education and practice across India.

A NATIONAL NETWORK OF KNOWLEDGE

Foundational pioneers have profoundly influenced the growth of allergy education and practice in India in allied disciplines. Dr. A. B. Singh and the late Dr. Shripad Agashe played a pivotal role in establishing the field of Indian aerobiology, bridging environmental allergen research with clinical application. Their early work in pollen and mould analysis provided the scientific groundwork for allergen identification and immunotherapy protocols now used across the country.

This foundation continues through the work of Dr. Jacob Abraham (PhD), who has led IAS-supported research and training programmes focused on environmental allergens, emphasising regional specificity and public health integration.

Further strengthening the academic ecosystem, longstanding collaborations with leading clinicians and researchers – Dr. D. J. Christopher, Dr. P. A. Mahesh, Dr. M. Murali, Dr. Meenu Singh, Dr. Hugo Van Bever, Dr. M. Thirumala, Dr. Saibal Moitra, and Dr. Neeraj Gupta - have contributed substantially to curriculum development, clinical research, and institutional training efforts across India.

Collectively, these individuals exemplify sustained mentorship, cross-disciplinary knowledge transmission, and institutional development – hallmarks of a growing academic movement in allergy medicine.

CHARITY AND COMMUNITY: THE PRAANA INITIATIVE

As part of its commitment to equitable healthcare delivery, IAS established the PRAANA (breath in Sanskrit) initiative – a charitable platform designed to serve medically underserved and socioeconomically marginalised populations in India. At its core is the PRAANA Charitable Allergy and Asthma Clinics programme, which delivers diagnostic, educational, and therapeutic services within resource-constrained environments.^[3].

By addressing both geographic and economic barriers to care, PRAANA represents a scalable model of inclusive healthcare delivery, supporting allergy literacy and access in communities often excluded from specialised services.

A NATIONAL PRIORITY: THE ROAD AHEAD

India is now experiencing a sharp and sustained rise in allergic diseases, driven by urbanisation, air pollution, indoor allergen exposure, and dietary changes. This trend is particularly acute in paediatric populations, where asthma and allergic rhinitis are becoming increasingly prevalent. Despite this growing burden, allergy medicine remains underrepresented, mainly in both undergraduate and postgraduate medical education.

To bridge this gap and institutionalise allergy care as a national health priority, we respectfully urge the National Medical Commission, Ministry of Health, and state health authorities to:

1. Integrate allergy training into MBBS and MD curricula

2. Expand structured allergy education programmes, especially in rural and tier-2 regions

3. Fund and establish state-level centres of excellence led by formally trained allergy specialists.

In alignment with these objectives, IAS is working to establish dedicated centres of excellence across India’s four geographic zones, furthering its commitment to nationwide systems-building that began in Mysore.

While Dr. Vedanthan has led transformative efforts in allergy education and care, he consistently attributes success to collective action and shared purpose. His approach reflects a leadership model grounded in collaboration rather than individual recognition.

He also acknowledges the unwavering support of his partner, Mrs. Kamala Vedanthan, who has been integral to this mission since its inception.

This philosophy – centred on service, humility and community – has helped sustain a multi-decade effort to bring allergy care to the forefront of public health in India.

Dr. P. K. Vedanthan’s contributions mark a shift from fragmented, underrecognised allergy care to a coordinated, scalable ecosystem rooted in education, clinical infrastructure, and equity-focused outreach. In a country that once lacked structured training in allergy medicine, his efforts have unified clinical practice, expanded academic programming, and introduced sustainable models of community care.

The roadmap ahead is clear. It is now time for India’s academic institutions, policymakers, and public health leaders to scale this model, ensuring that every citizen, regardless of geography or socioeconomic status, has access to informed, evidence-based allergy care.