The Union Health Minister recently inaugurated the foundation for the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) branches virtually in six states – Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Tripura, and Uttar Pradesh of India. The NCDC plays a vital role in controlling and preventing the emergence and re-emergence of diseases in the country.
The Origin and Objective of NCDC
Formerly known as the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD), the NCDC had its beginnings as the Central Malaria Bureau, established in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh, in 1909. In 2009, transforming its mandate for addressing emerging and re-emerging diseases, the NICD was rechristened as the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). Presently, the NCDC operates under the administrative control of the Director General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
Roles and Responsibilities of NCDC
Functioning as the nodal agency in the country for disease surveillance, NCDC facilitates prevention and control of communicable diseases working in coordination with state governments. It possesses the capacity for disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, and rapid response to contain and combat outbreaks. Beyond serving individuals and communities, NCDC provides referral diagnostic services to medical colleges, research institutions, and state health directorates.
Location of NCDC Branches
The NCDC has its headquarters in Delhi and houses eight branches in different states such as Alwar (Rajasthan), Bengaluru (Karnataka), Kozikode (Kerala), Coonoor (Tamil Nadu), Jagdalpur (Chhattisgarh), Patna (Bihar), Rajahmundry (Andhra Pradesh) and Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh).
Significance of Multiple NCDC Branches
The regional branches of NCDC play a crucial role in enhancing public health infrastructure. They enable prompt surveillance, rapid detection, and monitoring of diseases, facilitating early interventions. These branches coordinate with the NCDC headquarters in Delhi, ensuring real-time sharing of data and information, assisted by advanced technology. The availability of updated guidelines is also expedited through these branches. New branches are being added to integrate disease surveillance activities, deal with Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR), conduct multi-sectoral and entomological investigations, etc.
Understanding Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) refers to the ability of microorganisms – bacteria, viruses, and some parasites – to resist antimicrobial treatments like antibiotics, antivirals, and antimalarials. As a consequence, standard treatments lose their effectiveness, leading to persistent infections that may spread to others. In many places, antibiotics are misused and overused in people and animals, often administered without professional guidance. This misuse can occur when taken by people diagnosed with viral infections like cold and flu or when used as growth promoters in animals or preventing diseases in healthy animals. Hence, educating about the correct use of antibiotics and its relation to AMR is essential.
Dissociating Genetic Predisposition from AMR
A genetic predisposition implies an increased likelihood of developing a particular disease based on one’s genetic makeup, often inherited from parents. However, it holds no direct relationship with Antimicrobial Resistance. Thus, persons with a genetic predisposition to certain diseases don’t necessarily exhibit a higher tendency towards AMR.
Multiple Chronic Diseases and AMR
Multiple chronic diseases refer to two or more chronic diseases affecting a person simultaneously. These could include conditions like arthritis and hypertension or heart disease and depression. However, having multiple chronic diseases doesn’t necessarily mean the person will have a higher tendency towards antimicrobial resistance, primarily if the chronic conditions don’t require administering antibiotics. Therefore, the correlation between chronic disease and AMR is not always significant.
Last Modified: February 18, 2024