Centre may use polio network to screen for other outbreaks

THE NETWORK INCLUDES A LARGE CHUNK OF HEALTH CARE WORKERS, INCLUDING DEDICATED SURVEILLANCE MEDICAL OFFICERS

- Rhythma Kaul

NEW DELHI: The Union ministry of health and family welfare is considering making use of its vast polio surveillance network active in the country to screen for other new and emerging diseases, especially infectious diseases, to catch potential outbreaks early, according to people familiar with the matter.

The health ministry tasked the National Institute of Health and Family Welfare—an autonomous organisation, under it that acts as an apex technical institute as well as a think tank for the promotion of health and family welfare programmes in the country—to conduct a feasibility study for the idea.