Pandemic preparedness and disease surveillance are now firmly rooted in the robust health systems of the country. The Health Minister laid the cornerstone of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) regional branch in Assam and six state branches in Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Odisha, West Bengal, and Mizoram, along with Biosafety Level-3 (BSL-3) laboratories in Himachal Pradesh and Jharkhand, in a virtual ceremony originating from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) headquarters. The unrelenting battle against COVID-19 and its mutable variants persists as the virus adeptly undergoes self-modification, yielding novel strains that challenge diagnostic laboratories. While no variant akin to the Delta variant, notorious for inducing substantial fatalities, currently prevails, the nation must not relent in its vigilance. The government, astutely recognising the imperative nature of this ongoing struggle, allocates resources judiciously to establish state-of-the-art NDMC and BSL-3 laboratories, fortifying testing as the paramount tool against emerging variants.These meticulously established laboratories assume a pivotal role in expeditious diagnosis and the segregation of infected individuals, thereby shielding the populace at large.
Testing emerges as the singular viable defence mechanism against the onslaught of new variants. The government, cognizant of this reality, has long ago acknowledged their significance and persistently channelled investments into healthcare augmentation. In the post-pandemic era spanning recent years, there is a discernible emphasis on the enhancement of existing medical facilities, the establishment of novel healthcare institutions, and the methodical expansion of laboratory networks, all geared towards maintaining an unwavering state of vigilance. The NCDC, standing as the linchpin in this concerted effort, functions as the paramount agency overseeing public health surveillance and response. Its multifaceted role encompasses epidemiological support, the conduct of outbreak investigations, and the provision of diagnostic capacities spanning bacterial, viral, zoonotic, and parasitic infections. This relentless pursuit of healthcare fortification and infrastructure development underscores the government’s resolute commitment to confront the dynamic challenges posed by infectious diseases in a world constantly grappling with the spectre of emerging and evolving viral threats.
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