|
|
National Institute of Communicable Diseases |
|
||||||||
|
|||||||||
 | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
ANNUAL REPORT 1997 |
|
2. Objectives and
Functions of the Institute The
objectives of the Institute broadly cover three activities viz., training,
outbreak investigations and operational research in the field of communicable
diseases and their control in the country. The broad Objectives and Functions of the Institute are: §
To
advise Government on issues related to communicable diseases in the country. §
To
initiate enquiries and undertake investigations on communicable diseases
including such problems as may be referred to the Institute by the Ministry of
Health and Family Welfare, Government of India and the State Governments from
time to time. §
To
assist the state health authorities in field investigations as may be
undertaken by them and providing them with technical assistance wherever
necessary. §
To
undertake operational research on prevalence and spread of communicable
diseases and their prevention. §
To
carry-out epidemiological investigations, mapping-out of areas of endemicity,
study of communicable disease statistics on modern lines and generally to
elucidate the principles underlying the prevalence of communicable diseases in
India. §
To
advise upon and assist in carrying-out control measures of communicable
diseases and to study these scientifically and to evaluate them. §
To
undertake clinical investigations on communicable diseases and treatment. To
study techniques of early diagnosis, relapse problems and to update and
institute modern technologies and molecular methods for detection and
surveillance of epidemic prone diseases. §
To
train research workers in the concerned disciplines. §
To
train personnel in epidemiology and control of communicable diseases. §
To
public scientific results, technical guidelines, training manuals and
bulletins. §
Organise
workshops on topics of tropical interest. §
To
carryout responsibilities under the WHO Collaborative Centres for Epidemiology
and training and Rabies Epidemiology and Referral laboratory for Poliomyelitis.
Trained Manpower Development §
Plan,
organise and conduct specialised short term and long term training courses in
different discplines related to communicable diseases to raise §
manpower
development for undertaking advance, basic and applied research for different
medical institutions. §
trained
manpower for efficient management of National Disease Surveillance Programme in
the country. The courses attract participants not only from Indian States but
also from South East Asian region. The Institute also conducts separate
training programmes specifically designed for International participants. Some
of these courses are sponsored by international agencies like WHO, UNICEF,
USAID and World Bank. §
Organise
seminars, symposia/workshops etc. to disseminate latest kowledge/know-how
amongst scientists and health care professionals. Operational Research §
Undertake
laboratory and field studies on the taxonomy, biology, ecology, dynamics of
diseases. §
Develop
newer tools, techniques, methodologies aimed at early detection/ improvement of
diagnosis and epidemiological assessment of infections in the community. §
Carry
out in-depth operational research including development of modern molecular
biology and biotechnology tools to define the epidemiological concepts viz.,
prevalence, endemicity level, spread prevention of communicable diseases and to
provide research support to the on going disease control programmes in the
country. §
Immunological
studies on epidemic prone diseases. §
Undertake
laboratory and field evaluation of newer biocides/insecticides/drugs and
equipments used or intended to be used in vector/disease control practices.
Specialised operational research is particularly undertaken in the field of
bacteriology, virology, molecular biology, biotechnology, immunology, mycology,
parasitology and helminthology with an aim to improve diagnostic capabilities
of disease of public health importance and giving laboratory support to the
investigation and control of disease outbreaks. The important diseases include
Cholera, Polio Myelitis, Measles, Diphtheria, Meningitis, Tetanus. Hepatitis,
AIDS, Rubella, Rabies, Dengue, Japanese Encephalitis, Kala-azar, Guinea Worm,
Malaria, Filaria and some non-communicable diseases such as Iodine Deficiency
Disorders, environmental pollution, Apo-B gene polymorphism in primary
hyperlipidemia, disaster management and so on. Other Supportive Services §
The
Institute provides support to the various National Health Programmes and
Disease Surveillance activities through research, expert advise and operational
activities. §
Advise
the Government on various issues related to the communicable diseases in the
country and their control. §
Supply
scientific biological material to medical organisations for promotion of
knowledge on communicable diseases and their control. §
Supply
biological control agents to State Governments, local bodies, defence services
and other organisations for instituting biological control of mosquito vectors. §
Undertake
bio-efficacy tests of newer insecticides and their formulations from different
industries/institutions to meet the requirements of central insecticides. §
Undertake
quality control of cold chain system by carrying out potency testing of field
samples of oral polio vaccine and measles vaccine. §
Quality
Control of Oral Polio vaccines. §
Diagnostic
Support Services. The institute provides referral diagnostic services for
various communicable diseases, some of which are ordinarily not available in
hospitals and medical colleges. These include diagnosis of Poliomyelitis,
Measles, Coxsackie virus, other enteroviruses, TORCH group of organisms, Viral
Hepatitis, Meningitis, Diphtheria, Acute Respiratory Infections, Cholera and
newer enteropathogens, mycotic diseases. AIDS, Rabies, Kala-azar, Brucellosis,
Rickettsioses, Leptospirosis, Hydatidosis, Arboviral infections, Plague. §
Update
and institute modern technologies and molecular methods for detection and
surveillance of epidemic prone diseases. §
Maintain
reference laboratories on major diseases viz., Polio, AIDS, Rabies, Filaria,
Guineaworm, Yaws etc. §
Act
as a nodal point for testing and devising control of strategy formulated on a
pilot scale before wider application. §
Planning,
guiding and evaluation of Guinea Worm Eradication Programme. Yaws Eradication
Programme and support to Global Polio Eradication Programme. §
Provide
library facilities by way of supplying scientific bibliographies, reprints of
research papers etc. to meet the needs of scientific workers to pursue research
on communicable diseases in the country. |
