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Pune, India – The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has initiated a groundbreaking, continuous, and comprehensive disease surveillance program, marking a first for the city. This initiative aims to proactively track and prevent the spread of communicable, vector-borne, and water-borne diseases, according to PMC officials.
The program’s launch, which occurred last week, comes in response to recent health concerns, including an outbreak of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and previous instances of Zika, Chikungunya, Covid-19, and swine flu in Pune.
Dr. Nina Borade, the PMC’s health chief and the driving force behind the initiative, emphasized the importance of proactive surveillance for effective outbreak prevention and preparedness. “We have started strict monitoring of all communicable diseases, water- and vector-borne diseases. As part of the initiative, both public and private healthcare professionals and institutes have been involved. We aim to curb the spread of diseases and safeguard public health effectively before outbreaks,” she stated.
To ensure continuous monitoring, both government and private hospitals are required to regularly report cases of communicable and notifiable diseases. Dr. Vaishali Jadhav, assistant health chief of the PMC, also highlighted the focus on water safety, stating that the civic water supply department will conduct continuous water sample testing, particularly following the GBS outbreak. Additionally, monitoring of diarrhea cases has commenced to prevent water-borne disease outbreaks.
The PMC is also expanding its Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) to include more private hospitals and laboratories, enabling real-time case reporting. “This will ensure continuous monitoring and timely intervention,” Dr. Jadhav said. “Citizens are encouraged to follow hygiene guidelines, report any unusual illness trends, and cooperate with the PMC.”
Vector-borne disease control measures are also a key component of the initiative. Dr. Rajesh Dighe, assistant health officer of the PMC, explained that year-round efforts will be implemented to monitor insect density and eliminate breeding grounds. “We are not going to wait till the monsoon to start activities for the containment of vector-borne diseases. As many as 20% of fever patients will continue to undergo testing for malaria as part of passive surveillance efforts. Besides, measures will be implemented for the containment of dengue and chikungunya even if suspected cases are reported in any part of the city,” he said.
The PMC will follow guidelines issued by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and establish a Metropolitan Surveillance Unit (MSU). This unit will serve as a central hub for disease surveillance, facilitating real-time data reporting from both public and private sectors. This will help understand the nature of diseases in urban settings and identify potential outbreaks.
Given Pune’s susceptibility to infectious disease outbreaks due to its climate, this comprehensive surveillance system aims to achieve early detection, prevent outbreaks, and reduce morbidity and mortality rates.
Disclaimer: This news article is based on information available at the time of writing. The information provided is for general knowledge and informational purposes only, and does not constitute medical advice. Readers should consult with qualified healthcare professionals for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to their health or treatment.(https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/pune-news/pmc-starts-first-ever-continuous-comprehensive-disease-surveillance-in-city-101743445155237.html)
