In order to prevent influenza, which is predicted to increase this season, Union Health Minister J P Nadda ordered on Monday that readiness and response measures, including surge capabilities, be made. He was giving a speech on “strengthening interministerial and intersectoral convergence for influenza preparedness and response” at the two-day “Chintan Shivir.”
In cooperation with WHO India, the National Center for Disease Control, a division of the Union Health Ministry, planned the event for December 22–23. Speaking virtually at the first session on Monday, Nadda said that the “Chintan Shivir” provides a significant chance for all parties involved to discuss different aspects of preparedness for resilience against influenza.
He emphasized how important it is to make sure that reaction and preparation efforts, especially surge capacity, are properly coordinated for the upcoming influenza season. The Union health minister also emphasized the significance of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program, emphasizing that in order to guarantee strong and cooperative surveillance systems throughout India, the Center and states must cooperate and work together.
According to a statement from the health ministry, around 110 representatives from various ministries, agencies, and institutions participated in the “Chintan Shivir,” demonstrating strong multi-sectoral engagement. Officials from the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, the Directorate General of Health Services of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Indian Council of Medical Research, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, the National Institute of Virology, partner organizations, the States and Union territories, and the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change were among the participants.
According to the statement, eleven states took part in person, while others joined digitally, allowing for cross-learning through the exchange of best practices and experiences. According to the report, influenza is still a major public health concern in India and around the world. Periodic outbreaks cause significant morbidity and mortality, especially in vulnerable groups like young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with chronic illnesses.
According to the statement, the Union health ministry is still actively monitoring seasonal influenza patterns in States and UTs in real time via the IDSP network. Discussions highlighted the need for cross-sector convergence for surveillance, early warning, laboratory ready, clinical readiness, and efficient risk communication in order to assist influenza preparedness, which cannot continue to be isolated. The development of a more organized and practical approach to readiness evaluation by governments, UTs, and institutions is one of the main results of the “Chintan Shivir.”
According to the statement, this involves creating a useful preparedness checklist to assist readiness assessments, spot gaps, and direct time-bound follow-up measures. The conversations reaffirmed the necessity of prompt information exchange, role and responsibility clarity, and departmental coordination.
