A two day national workshop on influenza preparedness was held in New Delhi beginning 22 December, aimed at strengthening readiness for the upcoming influenza season through intersectoral and interministerial coordination.
The event was organised by the National Centre for Disease Control under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in collaboration with the World Health Organization Country Office for India.
The workshop brought together around 110 participants from central ministries, departments and institutions, including the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, the Directorate General of Health Services, the Indian Council of Medical Research, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and the National Institute of Virology.
Officials from 11 States participated in person, while representatives from other States and Union Territories joined virtually.
The focus of the deliberations was on strengthening influenza surveillance, preparedness and response mechanisms ahead of the seasonal increase in cases. Discussions covered real time monitoring of influenza trends through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, surge capacity planning, laboratory preparedness, clinical management, risk communication and coordination between the Centre and States.
Influenza continues to pose a significant public health challenge in India and globally, with recurrent outbreaks leading to substantial morbidity and mortality, particularly among vulnerable populations such as young children, older adults, pregnant women and individuals with underlying health conditions.
The workshop underscored the need for a whole of government approach, recognising that effective influenza preparedness extends beyond the health sector and requires coordinated action across multiple sectors.
A key outcome of the workshop was the decision to move towards a more structured and actionable preparedness assessment framework for States, Union Territories and institutions.
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