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The Department of Health Research (DHR), part of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has rolled out various Central Sector Schemes dedicated to establishing crucial biosafety facilities across the country.
Through the ‘Setting-up of nation-wide network of laboratories for managing epidemics and national calamities’ initiative, eleven BSL-3 facilities have been greenlit across different Regional Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDLs).
Another significant stride was made under the ‘Pradhan Mantri-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission’ (PM-ABHIM). This scheme has seen the sanctioning and establishment of two BSL-4 facilities, nine BSL-3 facilities, and the deployment of four Mobile BSL-3 units.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), operating under DHR, has actively contributed by sanctioning and establishing one BSL-4 facility and nine BSL-3 facilities in biosafety laboratories located within various ICMR institutions.
Additionally, the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has secured the sanctioning for eleven BSL-3 Laboratories and 1 BSL-4 Laboratory, further fortifying the country’s biosafety preparedness.
Moreover, plans are underway to develop 20 Metropolitan Surveillance Units under the ambit of the Pradhan Mantri-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM).
This comprehensive approach toward establishing and expanding BSL-3 and BSL-4 facilities marks a significant stride in bolstering India’s readiness to combat health emergencies. Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prof. SP Singh Baghel, highlighted these initiatives in a recent written statement addressed to the Rajya Sabha.
