(a) whether the Government has decided to open a network of disease surveillance 493 centres across the States besides upgrading the existing centres during the next five years;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has accorded priority to upgradation of
National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC);
(d) if so, whether the Government proposes to initiate newer programmes
with the upgradation of facilities at NCDC; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)
(a) & (b): Government of India initiated Integrated Disease Surveillance Project (IDSP) in 2004 with the aim to detect and respond to outbreaks of epidemic prone diseases. IDSP will continue in the 12th Five Year Plan as Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme. Under IDSP, surveillance units have been established in all States/Districts.
(c): Yes.
(d) & (e): The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) already provides leadership in the context of emerging and existing infectious diseases, public health activities, applied research to enhance prevention and control of diseases, development of human resource through various programmes etc.. Better laboratories and facilities help in meeting new challenges and in addressing more effectively the current public health issues.