• Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya laid the foundation for NCDC's expansion, inaugurating a regional branch in Assam, state branches in six states, and BSL-3 labs in two states.

• The state branches were opened in the following states:

1. Haryana

2. Tamil Nadu

3. Karnataka

4. Odisha

5. West Bengal

6. Mizoram

• The BSL-3 labs were opened in:

1. Himachal Pradesh

2. Jharkhand

• He also opened a temporary NCDC branch in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, to strengthen pandemic preparedness and disease surveillance.

• The upgraded NCDC in Delhi received an auditorium and library block dedication.

• Dr Mandaviya highlighted the significance of regional branches in combating diseases like Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever and Kyasanur forest disease.

• The Union Health Minister unveiled crucial technical documents, including the

1. IDSP, NCDC's "Community Reporting Tool on IHIP"

2. Centre for Environmental and Occupational Health's "Climate Change and Health" booklet.

• The booklet features case studies on adaptation and mitigation in the public health sector.

• Additionally, releases encompassed

1. The first Multicentric Point Prevalence Survey of Antibiotic Use.

2. An Outbreak Investigation Manual for Medical Officers.

3. The Centre for One Health's vision document promoting multisectoral collaboration.

4. The National Centre for Vector Borne Disease Control's "National Strategic Plan: Malaria Elimination 2023-27.

• These publications reflect a comprehensive approach to health challenges, emphasizing collaborative efforts and strategic planning.

Click here to read more.