The Department of Health Research has proposed the establishment of a national network for viral diagnostic and infectious disease laboratories at a total cost of Rs.900 crore in the next five years, with a view to studying and managing properly the outbreaks of epidemics due to various infectious pathogens.

“Currently national apex institutes like National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), New Delhi and the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune are mandated to undertake the investigations that results in heavy burden affecting their real referral role. The resultant delay in diagnosis/detection and adequate/incomplete data about these outbreaks significantly impact the response time for interventions,” according to the proposal by the DHR.

“Significantly, it causes avoidable delays in both short and long terms strategies for prevention, treatment through vaccine production/introduction and up-gradation of infra-structure etc. The Department is planning to establish about 250 laboratories of three grades on infectious pathogens which will work under the overall guidance of apex institutions like NIV, NCDC through appropriate linkages and networking,” sources said.

According to the proposal, there will be six regional labs of tertiary level and 200 state level labs including those at the district levels and medical colleges for the proper management of infectious diseases.

As suggested by experts a separate dedicated centre for Influenza research is being proposed in the schemes of DHR for prompt investigation of epidemics/ outbreaks. Impact of this major empowerment will be visible by prompt and accurate diagnosis and management of various infections; identification of causative agents for the outbreaks/ epidemics and smooth data flow from across the sites of epidemics by efficient knowledge management through policy interventions like quick deployment of resources and measures like introduction of preventive strategies like new vaccines etc.