To tackle the scourge of malaria and tuberculosis and re-emergence of infectious diseases, Union Health Ministry has decided to open a network of 27 disease surveillance centres across the States besides upgrading the existing eight in the next five years.
These centres will be the part of the National Centre for Disease Control, earlier known as National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) in Delhi. They will try to pick-up early warning signals of outbreaks and institution of appropriate control measures in a timely manner, identify gaps and suggest measures to strengthen the surveillance system for prevention and control of communicable diseases.
After laying the foundation stone of the new building complex of NCDC in Delhi On Sunday, Health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said, “With the expansion of infrastructure, advanced training of its manpower and induction of new technologies, the NCDC will continue to meet the difficult challenges of responding to an increasing number of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases effectively.”
The network of the surveillance centres will provide the presence of NCDC in each state for a closer and more effective interface with the State Governments, not only to greatly improve our surveillance and public health response but also to have a data-base for the other national health programmes, he said.
The Cabinet has accorded approval of Rs 382.41 crores for up gradation of NCDC in 11th and 12th Plan which includes Rs 326.19 crores for the new buildings.
With the up gradation of facilities at NCDC the newer programmes such as National Antimicrobial Resistance Containment Programme, National Rabies Control Programme and Viral Hepatitis Surveillance to name a few would be initiated effectively, said Joint Secretary (Health) Anshu Prakash.