Lok Sabha Question No. 875 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-26
Subject: Preparedness Against Future Pandemics
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Devendra Singh Alias Bhole Singh, Shri P C Mohan, Dr. Nishikant Dubey, Shri Khagen Murmu, Ms Kangna Ranaut, Shri Vishnu Dayal Ram, Shri Biplab Kumar Deb, Shri Dharambir Singh, Smt. Kamaljeet Sehrawat

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRY OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 875 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2024

## PREPAREDNESSAGAINSTFUTUREPANDEMICS

## 875. SHRIDEVENDRASINGHALIASBHOLESINGH:

SHRIPCMOHAN:

DR. NISHIKANTDUBEY:

SHRIKHAGENMURMU:

MSKANGNARANAUT:

SHRIVISHNUDAYALRAM:

SHRIBIPLABKUMARDEB:

SHRIDHARAMBIRSINGH:

SMT. KAMALJEETSEHRAWAT:

Will the Minister of HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- a) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government for preparedness against future pandemics;
- b) the details regarding financial assistance provided by the Union Government to the States for the same; and
- c) the details of the outbreaks of certain diseases across the country during the last year?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE

## ( SMT.ANUPRIYAPATEL)

- (a) Prevention of and preparedness against pandemics is shared global responsibility. In order to better prepare against future pandemics/public health emergencies in the country, Union Ministry of Health provides requisite support to States/UTs to enhance their capabilities.

To enhance disease surveillance activities, Union Ministry of Health has strengthened the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), which allows for a decentralized system of response through trained multi-disciplinary Rapid Response Team (RRTs) to institute requisite public health control and containment measures. IDSP, under Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) has also been strengthened to use advanced data modelling and data analytical tools, contains real-time data reporting, accessible at all levels.

In terms of laboratory strengthening, under IDSP, States have strengthened laboratories at District and State levels. Further, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has established a network of more than 150 Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDLs) for strengthening of nation-wide network of laboratories for timely laboratory based diagnosis of pathogens. In addition besides apex laboratory at National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune and four regional NIVs are being established in Jammu, Jabalpur, Dibrugarh and Bengaluru. ICMR has developed two mobile BSL-3 laboratories to provide essential on-site diagnostic services during outbreaks, especially in remote areas. Further, a National Institute for One Health (NIOH) is being established at Nagpur by ICMR to undertake integrated and holistic research and development across human, animal, plant, and environmental health sectors.

Under Central Sector Scheme, Health Sector Disaster Preparedness and Response' a number of capacity building initiatives on facets like hospital preparedness, health sector disaster preparedness and response, psycho-social care in disaster settings etc. are undertaken across the country.

With the long-term goal to better prepare country against public health emergencies, Pradhan Mantri - Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) has been launched to enhance the capacity of primary, secondary and tertiary health care facilities and institutes for identifying and managing any new and emerging diseases.

(b) Funding support has been provided to States/UTs for health system strengthening to meet any exigency due to public health emergencies like pandemics. During the FY 2020-21, funds to the tune of Rs. 8473.73 crore have been released to the States/UTs towards the India COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Package (ECRP-I) for health infrastructure strengthening, expansion of laboratory network, surveillance, procurement of medical logistics etc. Under India COVID 19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Package-Phase II, a sum of Rs. 12,740.22 crore support was provided to States/UTs for ramping up health infrastructure and provision of medical logistics. Further, a release of Rs. 3,619.82 crore has been provided as central release of grants under PM-ABHIM (FY2021-24) for better public health preparedness.

(c) As reported by States/UTs, a total of 1,862 disease outbreaks including Acute Diarrheal Diseases, Chickenpox, Cholera etc. were reported to IDSP last year.

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