Our Work › Education & Training
Training the physicians who carry this work forward.
IAS has been educating health professionals since its inception. Formal training programmes include the DAA, DPAA, DAAI, AASC and the Global Allergy Programme (GAP). To date, nearly 4,000 physicians have been trained through these formal programmes, with a further 3,500 reached through CMEs and clinical scenarios at allergy and asthma camps.
Diploma in Allergy and Asthma (DAA)
The first formal training programme in Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, initiated with the Department of Pulmonary Medicine at Christian Medical College-Hospital (CMC), Vellore. A one-year distance-education programme drawing on local, national and international faculty; students come from across India and neighbouring countries including Sri Lanka, Kenya, Rwanda and Indonesia, as well as the US and Canada. 500 doctors have graduated so far. Endorsed by AAAAI and sponsored by the Center for Global Health, University of Colorado. Dr. PK serves as Training Programme Co-Director. Programme details →
Diploma in Paediatric Allergy and Asthma (DPAA)
Established through a Memorandum of Understanding between IAS and Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and Research Centre (SGHRC), Delhi, and launched in January 2020 — the second formal training programme in the country. Dr. PK serves as Co-Director. Programme details →
Diploma Allergy Asthma Immunology (DAAI)
A hybrid course from IAS and Bharatiya Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Pune, advised by Drs. Saibal Moitra and Krishna Mohan, coordinated by Ms. Janette Jayasheeli. Endorsed by AAAAI and sponsored by the Center for Global Health, University of Colorado. Programme details →
Allergy and Asthma Specialist Course (AASC)
An online training programme offered in partnership between Med-train (Bangalore, India), Bharati Vidyapeetha Deemed University (Pune) and IAS. Dr. PK serves as Co-Director. The inaugural intake enrolled 69 doctors. Programme details →
Diploma in Paediatric Sleep Medicine (DPSM)
The first training programme in Paediatric Sleep Medicine in India — a joint initiative of Shishu Children's Hospital, Bangalore; Global Chest Initiatives (GCI), Colorado; and Children's Hospital Colorado. Conceived by Dr. Bharath Reddy, and supported by the Sleep Medicine group at Children's Hospital Colorado under Dr. Stephen Hawkins. Commenced in Bangalore in 2021.
Global Allergy Programme (GAP) & Fellowship (FAAI)
Established with the Department of Telemedicine at PGIMER, Chandigarh, and AIIMS Rishikesh, under the leadership of Dr. Meenu Singh, Professor of Paediatrics. The Fellowship in Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (FAAI) launched under this umbrella. Dr. PK serves as Co-Director of both. Endorsed by AAAAI and sponsored by the Center for Global Health, University of Colorado.
Allergy Procedure Course (APC) & Allergy Assistant Course (AAC)
A year-long course exclusively for trained allergy specialists (APC), tagged with a companion Allergy Assistant course (AAC). Offered by IAS with Med-train and Bharatiya Vidyapeeth, Pune. Sponsored and endorsed by AAAAI and the University of Colorado.
Mini Allergy Asthma Courses (1–5 days)
Delivered at the University of Nairobi Department of Pediatrics (Kenyatta General Hospital, Kenya), Community Health Partners (Narok, Kenya), the Medical University of Saratov (Russia), the Myanmar Medical Association (Yangon), and Mysore Medical College (India).
CME activities & conferences
NAPCON, Hyderabad (November 2023)
Dr. PK presented "Allergy Basics" as an invited International Expert at the National Conference of Pulmonary Diseases. View the workshop poster (PDF) →
Lung Centre at Narok, Kenya (2019)
With support from the Colorado Allergy Asthma Society, IAS set up a Lung Center at Community Health Partners, Narok, with a CME workshop assisted by Cipla. Local coordination by Mr. Itole Sunte.
Allergy Asthma Awareness Month, Kathmandu (May 2018)
In partnership with Kanti Children's Hospital under DAA alumnus Dr. Mahesh K. Gautam, more than 150 doctors attended a day-long CME alongside a public awareness march.
Sir Gangaram Hospital, Delhi (March 2018)
A two-day Paediatric Allergy and Asthma CME led by DAA alumnus Dr. Neeraj Gupta.
7th Annual DAA Refresher Course, Goa (February 2018)
Held under the leadership of Dr. Monteiro, sponsored by Allergo Pharma, Medihaux International and AANI.
DAA Graduation & Dr. Sheldon Spector Memorial CME, CMC Vellore (January 2018)
The 13th DAA graduation, with guest faculty Dr. Hugo Van Bever (Singapore) and Dr. Vinay Mehta (Nebraska). The Henry Claman Gold Medal and Harold Nelson Silver Medal were awarded to outstanding performers.
Asthma awareness at Mysuru (May 2017)
A CME on practical aspects of asthma, including GINA 2017, at Mysore Medical College & Research Institute, convened by Dr. Savitha Ramaraj.
Pediatric Asthma and Allergy OPD, Cooper Hospital, Mumbai (2017)
Inaugurated with spirometry and allergy skin testing, convened by Dr. Anupama Mauskar, with a Cipla webinar for postgraduate students.
2025 activities & accolades
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| Jan 8–9 | FAAI graduation ceremony at AIIMS, Rishikesh (Chief guest Dr. Jindal, PGI Chandigarh) |
| Jan 10 | CME conducted at Surat, Gujarat |
| Jan 12–15 | Personal Contact Session (PCS) 1 at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Delhi |
| Jan 20–25 | PCS 1 graduation ceremony, Allergocon, CMC Vellore |
| Jan 31 – Feb 2 | DAAI PCS 1 at Kozhikode, Kerala |
| Feb 8–11 | Sri Lanka Pulmonology Conference — Dr. PK, inaugural address |
| Feb 21 | Mumbai Allergy Conclave, with Dr. Sitesh Roy and Dr. Jala |
| Feb 23 | Dr. PK presents the Dr. Prof Einhorn Oration, Masonic Children's Hospital, Coimbatore |
| Mar 16 | Dharwad Allergy Asthma Camp |
| Apr 3–5 | FAAI PCS 2 at School of Ancient Wisdom, Devanahalli, Bangalore |
| May 18 | Dr. PK featured as an "Allergy Legend" by the Indian Academy of Pediatrics |
| Jul 24–27 | Dr. PK receives Most Distinguished Physician Award, 43rd AAPI Convention, Cincinnati |
| Sep 12 | Dr. PK featured as guest speaker by Environmental Fridays |
Milestones in transferring medical technology
1987 — Karnataka Allergy Asthma Center
Established in Malleshwaram, Bangalore, under Dr. H.B. Chandrasekhar — the first fully equipped facility with allergy skin testing, lung function testing, audiometry, patch testing, immunotherapy, nebulizers, oximeters and oxygen delivery.
By 1995 — Respiratory ICU, Mysore
Set up at Combined Hospitals, Mysore; Sharadha Dhanvanthri Hospital, Sringeri, Shimoga District; and a Vitalograph Lung Function machine at Mysore Medical College.
Early 2000s — Kenya & Mauritius
Lung Function Laboratories with allergy skin testing at M.P. Shah Hospital and Pandya Memorial Hospital, Kenya, and M.G. Hospital, Mahe, Mauritius.
By 2020 — Four new clinics
Allergy Asthma Clinics established at Taveuni Hospital (Fiji), Medical University of Saratov (Russia), Combined Hospitals MMCRI (Mysuru), and Community Health Partners (Narok, Kenya).
Faculty spotlight
Dr. Neeraj Gupta
Allergist, Pediatric Intensivist & Sleep Specialist · Senior Consultant, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Delhi
Chairperson (2025), IAP Allergy & Applied Immunology Chapter; Director, Diploma in Pediatric Allergy & Asthma (DPAA). MBBS, DCH, DNB, FRCP CH, DAA, FAAAAI, IDP CCM, DPSM, Certificate of Excellence in Pediatric Allergology (EAACI). H-index of 14.
Author of A Handbook on Allergic Rhinitis (2025), Comprehensive Textbook of Allergy (2024), the IAP Case-Based Review on Pediatric Allergy (2022), and Allergy in a Nutshell – A Handbook (2019).
Nearly 4,000 specialists trained
IAS-sponsored programmes have trained nearly 4,000 allergy specialists in India and beyond. At any one time, nearly 300 physicians are undergoing allergy and asthma training.
Upcoming events
Global Textbook of Food Allergy
CRC Press — 22 chapters, 28 authors from India, China, Africa, Australia, the USA, Singapore, Ghana, Kenya, the UK and Germany. Lead editors: P. K. Vedanthan, Hugo Van Bever, Neeraj Gupta, Sowmya Nagarajan, P. A. Mahesh.
Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
A four-day CME/workshop in mid-December 2025 at Moi University Medical School and Hospital.
Port Louis, Mauritius
A CME/workshop for pulmonologists, paediatricians and ENT specialists with the Respiratory Association of Mauritius, November 2025.