Question : NATIONAL CENTRE FOR DISEASE CONTROL

(a) the details of branches and laboratories of National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for timely detection, diagnosis and management of communicable diseases in the country, State/UT-wise;

(b) the equipments and diagnostic tools purchased for the above branches and laboratories of NCDC along with the funds spent thereupon during the last three years and the current year;

(c) whether bio-chemistry, biotechnology and molecular specialists, techniques and facilities are available in all the above branches and laboratories of NCDC including Delhi;

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(e) whether a number of the above branches of NCDC including Delhi are running without Head of the Departments in specialised/concerned areas; and

(f) if so, the reasons therefor along with the corrective measures proposed to be taken by the Government for appointment of specialised Head of the Departments including bio-technology in the above branches of NCDC?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)

(a) There are eight branches of National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) having laboratories in different parts of the country. Details are at Annexure-I.

(b) Details of equipments, which are used as diagnostic tools, purchased for NCDC Headquarters during the year 2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 (as on 13.8.2012) are annexed at Annexure – II, III, IV and V respectively. In addition, Binocular Microscope, stereo Microscope, vertical deep freezer, lab incubator and flash thermometer were also purchased by the NCDC branches during 2009-10 and 2011-12.

(c) & (d) Specialized bio-chemistry, biotechnology and molecular diagnostic techniques and facilities for the latest Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Real-time PCR and Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) fingerprinting-based methods of diagnosis are available in laboratories at NCDC headquarters in Delhi for common outbreak-prone diseases. NCDC branches are carrying out focused disease specific activities for which diagnostic capacities have been developed in respective branches.

As regards timely detection and management of communicable diseases, the entire gamut of diagnosis and rapid response activity is covered under Integrated Diseases Surveillance Project (IDSP). Under the IDSP as well as National Rural Health Mission flexipool, financial support is provided to States/UTs for strengthening of public health laboratories, provision of lab consumables and trained manpower.

(e) No.

(f) Does not arise.