The Odisha Government has accorded approval to establishment of a branch of National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) with a state-of-the-art laboratory in Odisha.
The move to establish NCDC has been initiated to strengthen the surveillance and public health infrastructure in the State, senior health department officials said on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the department has strengthened the existing 32 District Public Health Laboratories & developed its own network of 30 RT-PCR laboratories for testing, diagnosis and timely dissemination of results in the community in view of the pandemic health crisis.
Land measuring 3 acre and 125 decimal was allotted for this purpose, in favour of Director, NCD of Central Government at Andharua Mauza of Khordha district, free of premium and with waiving of registration fees, they said.
For the purpose of registration of the sub-lease deed, Atul Goel, Director NCDC, along with Shikha Vardhan, Joint Director & Head (Establishment & Strengthening of NCDC Branches) are visiting Bhubaneswar from 29-30 December.
National Centre for Disease Control, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare Department is the nodal agency in the country for disease surveillance, Outbreak investigation, Rapid Response for disasters and prevention and control of communicable diseases of Public Health Importance in coordination with the State Governments and Union Territories’ administrations.
Establishment of NCDC Branch in Odisha will be a milestone in the public health scenario of the State as it is going to support the State of Odisha in all epidemics, pandemics and other outbreaks.