New Delhi: To enhance disease surveillance, the health ministry has strengthened the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), which allows for a decentralised system of response to institute requisite public health control and containment measures, the government informed Parliament on Friday (February 9). In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said prevention of and preparedness against pandemics is a shared global responsibility.
In order to better prepare against future pandemics and public health emergencies in the country, the Ministry of Health provides the requisite support to the states and Union territories to enhance their capabilities, Mr Mandaviya said.
As reported by the states, a total of 1,802 disease outbreaks, including acute diarrheal diseases, chicken pox and cholera etc, were reported last year (till December 17), he said.
The minister was responding to a question on the measures and steps taken or proposed to be taken by the government to prepare against future pandemics.
Mr Mandaviya said,
To enhance disease surveillance activities, the Union Health Ministry has strengthened the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), which allows for a decentralised system of response through trained multi-disciplinary rapid response teams (RRTs) to institute requisite public health control and containment measures.
The IDSP, under the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP), has also been strengthened to use advanced data modelling and data analytical tools, contains real-time data reporting and is accessible at all levels.
Under the IDSP, the states have strengthened laboratories at district and state levels.
Further, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has established a network of more than 150 virus research and diagnostic laboratories (VRDLs) to strengthen the countrywide network of laboratories for a timely diagnosis of pathogens, Mr Mandaviya said.
In addition to the apex laboratory at the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune, four regional NIVs are being established in Jammu, Jabalpur, Dibrugarh and Bengaluru, he added.
Also Read: Transgenders Benefited From Ayushman Bharat Jan Arogya Scheme: Government
The ICMR has developed two mobile BSL-3 laboratories to provide essential on-site diagnostic services during outbreaks, especially in remote areas, the minister informed.
Further, a National Institute for One Health (NIOH) is being established at Nagpur by the ICMR to undertake integrated and holistic research and development across human, animal, plant and environmental health sectors.
With the long-term goal to better prepare the country against public health emergencies, the Pradhan Mantri-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) has been launched to enhance the capacity of primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities and institutes for identifying and managing any new and emerging diseases, Mr Mandaviya said.
Funding support has been provided to the states to strengthen their health systems for meeting any exigency due to public health emergencies like pandemics.
During the financial year 2020-21, funds to the tune of Rs 8,473.73 crore were released to the states and Union territories towards the India COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Package (ECRP-I) for health infrastructure strengthening, expansion of the laboratory network, surveillance, procurement of medical logistics etc., the minister said.
In the second phase of the India COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Package, a financial support of Rs 12,740.22 crore was provided to the states for ramping up the health infrastructure and provision of medical logistics.
Besides, the states have also been supported in terms of the installation of PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) plants, Mr Mandaviya said.
Also Read: Mobile Health Initiative Kilkari Launched With Local Content In Gujarat, Maharashtra
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which in its Season 10 is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Ayushmann Khurrana. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ population, indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In a world post COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental well-being, self-care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.
