Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme strengthened: Govt
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.
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, 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.
“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,” Mandaviya said.
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, 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.
