The Centre has intensified its preparedness against monsoon-related diseases by strengthening disease surveillance, expanding diagnostic capacity and enhancing outbreak response mechanisms across the country. The measures target seasonal illnesses such as dengue, malaria, diarrhoea and leptospirosis through early detection, timely treatment and coordinated public health interventions.
According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, a nationwide surveillance network comprising 887 Sentinel Surveillance Hospitals (SSHs) and 27 Apex Referral Laboratories (ARLs) has been established to facilitate early detection and free diagnosis of dengue. In addition, 5 diagnostic laboratories have been strengthened under the Programme for Prevention and Control of Leptospirosis (PPCL) through grants for procuring equipment and consumables. States and Union Territories have also been trained to use the Integrated Health Information Platform–Vector Borne Diseases (IHIP-VBD) portal for real-time disease monitoring and outbreak tracking.
Strengthening Disease Control
For malaria control, the Centre continues to supply medicines and diagnostic kits to States and Union Territories under the National Health Mission to support early diagnosis and complete treatment. Dengue surveillance has been further strengthened with the supply of IgM test kits to all identified laboratories through the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune.
The government has also intensified Integrated Vector Management (IVM) through indoor residual spraying in high-risk areas, distribution of bed nets in malaria-endemic regions, anti-larval measures in urban areas, use of bio-larvicides and larvivorous fish, and source reduction to eliminate mosquito breeding sites. To reduce diarrhoeal illnesses among children below five years, the Centre is implementing the STOP Diarrhoea Campaign, which follows the Protect, Prevent and Treat (PPT) strategy by promoting timely use of Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) and zinc supplementation.
Alongside disease-specific interventions, the government has undertaken large-scale capacity building of frontline health workers, community leaders and trainers, while expanding Information, Education and Communication (IEC) and Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) campaigns through television, radio, newspapers, social media and other platforms. Technical guidelines on prevention, surveillance and clinical management have been issued to States and Union Territories, with advisories directing them to maintain adequate stocks of medicines, diagnostic kits and insecticides, strengthen surveillance systems and ensure rapid outbreak response.
The Centre is also working with State Health Departments, Urban Local Bodies, Panchayati Raj Institutions, Self-Help Groups and community organisations to improve sanitation, mosquito control and flood-related disease preparedness. The details were shared by Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
