RAJKUMARI AMRIT KAUR COLLEGE OF

NURSING

ADVANCE NURSING PRACTICE-I

REPORT OF - NATIONAL CENTER FOR

DISEASE CONTROL

SUBMITTED TO: SUBMITTED BY:

Mrs. Mrs. Mitali Biswas Ms. ANMOL RATTAN
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT M.Sc. NURSING
MENTAL HEALTH NURSING FIRST YEAR
RAK COLLEGE OF NURSING RAK COLLEGE OF NURSING
INTRODUCTION:

As part of the curriculum of community Health Nursing B.Sc. nursing (Hon) III year
(Semester-V) ,Posting for one week was arranged to National Centre For Disease
Control(NCDC) and for M.Sc. (Nursing) I year students of Rajkumari Amrit Kaur
College of Nursing .
NATIONAL CENTRE FOR DISEASE CONTROL

(NCDC)

ABOUT NCDC

The National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) had its origin as Central
Malaria Bureau, established at Kasauli (Himachal Pradesh) in 1909 and following
expansion was renamed in 1927 as the Malaria Survey of India. The organization was
shifted to Delhi in 1938 and called as the Malaria Institute of India (MII). In view of
the drastic reduction achieved in the incidence of malaria under National Malaria
Eradication Programme (NMEP), Government of India decided to reorganize and
expand the activities of the institute to cover other communicable diseases. Thus, on
July 30, 1963 the erstwhile MII was renamed as NICD to shoulder these additional
responsibilities.

The institute was established to function as a national centre of excellence for control
of communicable diseases. The function of the institute also included various areas of
training and research using multi-disciplinary integrated approach. The institute was, in
addition, expected to provide expertise to the States and Union Territories (UTs) on
rapid health assessment and laboratory based diagnostic services. Surveillance of
communicable diseases and outbreak investigation also formed an indispensable part of
its activities.

The NICD campus at Delhi covers an approximate areas of 15.35 acres which includes
the former official residence of Commander in Chief of the Indian Army and now
houses the administrative block, library, divisions of epidemiology and parasitic
diseases. The Institute is one of its unique kind in the city of Delhi having so much of
green area with about 80% as open area. The Institute has got three large sprawling
lawns with well maintained plants as well as a number of smaller garden islands. The
headquarters of the directorate of National Anti Malaria Programme (NAMP), now
named as National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) is also
located in the NCDC campus. The facilities available in the campus include research
laboratories, a large lecture hall, well equipped conference and seminar rooms, animal
house, fish hatcheries and two hostels with a total capacity to accommodate about 125
trainees and a well maintained canteen. The campus has the facilities of play grounds
for volleyball, badminton etc. as well as for indoor facilities like carom, gymnasium
etc.

The Institute is under administrative control of the Director General of Health Services,
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India. The Director, an officer of the
Public Health sub-cadre of Central Health Service, is the administrative and technical
head of the Institute.

The Institute has its headquarters in Delhi and has 8 out-station branches located at
Alwar (Rajasthan), Bengaluru (Karnataka), Kozikode (Kerela), Coonoor (Tamil Nadu),
Jagdalpur (Chattisgarh), Patna (Bihar), Rajahmundry (Andhra Pradesh) and Varanasi
(Uttar Pradesh).

There are several technical Divisions at the headquarters of the institute i.e. Centre for
Epidemiology and Parasitic Diseases (Dept. of Epidemiology, Dept. Parasitic Disease)
Division of Microbiology, Division of Zoonosis, Centre for HIV/AIDS and related
diseases, Centre for Medical Entomology and Vector Management, Division of
Malariology and Coordination, Division of Biochemistry and Biotechnology.

In each division there are several sections and laboratories dealing with different
communicable diseases. The divisions have well equipped laboratories with modern
equipments capable of undertaking tests using latest technology. The activities of each
division are supervised by an officer in-charge, supported by medical and non-medical
scientists, research officers and other technical and paramedical staff. Every Division is
equipped with its own independent Seminar Room. The institute has a 24 x 7 Disease
Monitoring Cell operating round the clock to respond to enquiries related to disease
outbreak along-with video-conferencing facility to interact with the network of disease
surveillance centres in the states and districts. The branches are also well equipped and
staffed to carry out field studies, training activites and research.

The mandate of the Institute broadly covers three areas viz. services, trained
health manpower development and research

1.Services

The Institute takes leading role in undertaking investigations of disease outbreaks all
over the country employing epidemiological and diagnostic tools. It also provides
referral diagnostic services to individuals, community, medical colleges, research
institutions and state health directorates. The service component provided by the
Institute also includes making available scientific research material, teaching aids,
storage and supply of vaccines and quality control of biological. A brief of different
services provided are mentioned below:

A. Outbreak investigations
The institute investigates and recommends control measures for the out-break of various
communicable diseases in the States/UTs all over the country as well as to some
neighboring countries in the South East Asia Region. The institute also undertakes
monitoring of outbreaks through-out the country, especially during its early rising phase
by collecting information from the states and districts. The institute conducts emergency
preparedness training for the officials in the state as well as investigates rumors in cases
of diseases that have been considered as eradicated e.g. Smallpox case rumors.

B. Referral Services

i) Referral Diagnostic Services: The institute provides referral diagnostic services

for various communicable diseases of microbial origin specially for those for which
diagnostic facilities are ordinarily not available in hospitals and medical colleges.
These include:

Viral diseases- Poliomyelitis, Measles, Coxsackie virus, other Enteroviruses, Hepatitis

virus, AIDS, Rabies, Arbo-viral infections, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus etc.

Bacterial diseases- Meningitis, Diphtheria, Acute Respiratory Infections, Cholera and

newer Entero- pathogens, Plague, Anthrax, Brucellosis ,Rickettsioses etc.

Mycotic diseases- Common fungal infections, superficial as well as

deep. Parasitic Diseases- Malaria, , Kala-azar, , Leptospirosis,

Hydatidosis

C. Other Services

The Institute also provides other important services some of which are as follows:

Quality Control of Biologicals: The institute routinely provides quality control

services for various vaccines like BCG, OPV and diagnostic test kits for AIDS,
Hepatitis, Meningitis, etc.

Storage and supply of vaccines and other biological materials: The institute stores
reagents, test kits and vaccines on behalf of the Directorate General of Health Services
(DGHS) and distributes to various state health directorates and medical colleges on
request. It also provides larvivorous fishes for the biological control of mosquitoes to
various public health agencies.Entomological investigations: Includes identification of
arthropods of medical importance specially during disease out-break situations,
Evaluation of chemical compounds:The institute undertakes laboratory and field
evaluation of insecticides/biocides to meet the requirements of the registration
committee of Central Insecticide Board.

Assessment of biochemical parameters to establish clinical diagnosis e.g.Thyroid function

2. Trained Health Manpower Development
This component of the mandate of the Institute is addressed through the following
activities Training: Special emphasis is given to trained health man-power development
that is essential for the successful implementation of different health programmes in the
country. Besides the regular training programmes, numerous short-term training
activities are conducted every year. The course curricula of these training programmes
are designed to develop the necessary need-based skills. The participants to these
courses come from different States/Union Territories of India. In addition, trainees from
some of the neighboring countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and
Nepal also participate in some of the training programmes. The institute also conducts
separate training programmes specifically designed for international participants. Some
of these courses are sponsored by international agencies like WHO, UNICEF, World
Bank and USAID. The institute has developed training modules on different
communicable diseases based on its field experiences, which are extensively used
during training programmes at NICD. The trainees in various Epidemiology courses are
exposed to the application of computers and related software in Epidemiology and
disease surveillance.
Expert group meetings: The Institute organizes meetings for formulation of guidelines for
surveillance, management, prevention and control of various communicable and non-
communicable diseases. The meetings are attended by experts of the respective field,
senior administrators of health services of the states, programme managers from medical,
veterinary, agriculture and animal husbandry departments.

Supply of teaching and research material: The institute provides teaching material on
various communicable diseases in the form of slides, charts, maps, procedure manuals,
pamphlets, books etc. to Medical Colleges and Teaching Institutions. Various bacterial
and fungal isolates, cell lines, slides of malaria, filaria, kala-azar, rabies, diphtheria,
meningococcus, live cultures and preserved materials of arthropods are also provided to
medical colleges and research institutions on request.

Fellowships: Scientists, research workers and health professionals, from India and
abroad on WHO fellowships are placed in the institute for training and exchange of
technical knowledge
3. Research

Applied integrated research in various aspects of communicable as well as some

aspects of non- communicable diseases has been one of the prime functions of the
Institute. To achieve this, the institute is actively engaged in research in the
following broad areas.

Applied research in the field of bacteriology, virology, mycology, parasitology,

immunology, biotechnology, epidemiology, entomology and quality testing of vaccines
and other biological with an aim of improving diagnostic capabilities of diseases of
public health importance and providing services.
ORGANOGRAM OF NCDC
 List of Director

Brigadier J.A. Sinton Major General Sir Gordon Covell

Sir Richard Christophers 1927-1936 1937-1947
1909-1927

Dr. B. Ananthaswamy Rao Dr. S. P. Ramakrishnan

Lt. Col. Jaswant Singh 1957-1958 1958-1965
1947-1957

Dr. N. G. S. Raghavan Dr. M. I. D. Sharma

Dr. J. B. Srivastav
1965-1971 1971-1976
1965-1967

Dr. R. K. Sanyal Dr. Sharad Kumar Dr. A. N. Raichowdhury

1977-1979 1979-1981 1981-1984

Dr. R. N. Basu Dr. P. N. Sehgal Dr. P. C. Roy

1984-1986 1986-1987 1989-1989

Dr. T. Verghese Dr. K. K. Datta Dr. Jotna Sokhey

1990-1994 1994-1997 & 2000-2001 1997-2000

Dr. Shiv Lal Dr. L. S. Chauhan Dr. S. Venkatesh

2002-2010 2010-2014 2014-2017

Dr. A.C. Dhariwal Dr. Sujeet Kumar

2017-2018 2018-2022

Prof (Dr.) Atul Goel

2022-
 MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS

• Development of a mounting media (Bhatia media) for the larvae of mosquitoes

(1949)
• Preparation of identification keys for larvae and adults of Indian Anophelines (1953)
• The Regional Filaria Training and Research Centre (RFT&RC), Kozhikode was
established. A field station of this Centre, Brugia Malayi Research unit is functioning
at Cherthala, Alappuzha District, Kerela (1955)
• Preparation of a region-wise identification key for the Indian anophelines (1961)
• Establishment of Field station at Kolar, Mysore state to investigate the epidemiology
and control of epidemic plague (1963)
• Establishment of Regional Filaria Training and Research Centre at Rajahmundry
(1963)
• Establishment of Regional Filaria Training and Research Centre at Varanasi (1965)
• Establishment of Unit for testing of Small Pox freeze dried vaccine manufactured in
the country and imported from abroad under National Smallpox Eradication
Programme (1965)
• Preparation of identification key for Indian anophelines (1965)
• Polio Vaccine testing unit started functioning at Division of Microbiology (1968)
• Central survey team was formed under filariology division to determine the
transmission of filariasis in non-endemic areas of the country (1970)
• Establishment of unit for testing and quality control of freeze dried BCG vaccine
(1972)
• A new culture medium, "NICD medium", developed to diagnose acute case of
cholera within 6 hours (1972)
• Field Practice Unit established at Alwar to carry out studies on various
communicable diseases (1973)
• Detection, for the first time, of existence of zoonotic reservoir of Cutaneous
leishmaniasis in the vicinity of Rajasthan Canal Area (1973)
• First time detection of resistance against Malathion in Anopheles culicifacies, a
vector of malaria (1973)
• First time detection of resistance against DDT in Anopheles culicifacies, a vector of
Malaria (1973)
• Discovered zoonotic focus of human malaria in Greater Nicobar (1973)
• NICD declared as Central Water laboratory under Prevention and Control of
Pollution Act (GOI) (1974)
• Establishment of Plague Surveillance Unit (PSU) at Bangalore to develop expertise
in detection and control of plague in man and rodents (1975)
• NICD played a leading role in the "Small Pox Zero" target in the country (1975)
• NICD notified as a national laboratory for insecticide testing by Government of
India, Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (1975)
• Establishment of Kala-azar Unit at Patna (1976)
• Establishment of In-vitro cultivation of Plasmodium falciparum (1978)
• Establishment of field station at Jagdalpur (MP) to intensify research in Malaria
(1979)
• Guineaworm Eradication Programme was launched (1983)
• Communicable Diseases Bulletin was started with the purpose of widespread
dissemination of information on epidemic prone diseases (1985)
• Cell for monitoring of epidemic prone diseases was established (1985)
• Recognized as WHO Collaboration Centre for Rabies epidemiology for South East
Asia Region (1985)
• Establishment of National Reference Centre for AIDS/HIV (1985)
• NICD amongst the first to start Laboratory based training for testing of HIV/ AIDS
in India (1986)
• Malaria Research Field Station, Jagdalpur (Madhya Pradesh) was taken over by
NICD (1988)
• Initiation of 9 month Field Epidemiology Training Programme (FETP) with USAID
support (1989)
• Preparation of identification keys for adults of Anopheles mosquitoes in India (1990)
• Polio laboratory recognized as Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio for South
East Asia Region (1991)
• Division of Biochemistry identified as National Reference Laboratory for monitoring
of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (1992)
• First time detection of the mosquito larvicidal properties of indigenous plant, Yucca
aloifolia (1994)
• Establishment of the state-of-the-art BSL-2 Plague laboratory (1995)
• Establishment of Division of AIDS incorporating the Reference Centre for AIDS
(1995)
• Recognized as WHO Collaborating Centre for Field Epidemiology Training
Programme (FETP) for South -East Asia Region (1995)
• Establishment of the state-of-the-art Biotechnology Laboratory with full fledged
facilities for diagnosis (1996)
• Yaws Eradication Programme was launched (1996)
• Certification of Guinea Worm Eradication by WHO (2000)
• Participation in the nationwide multi-centric study on Refinement of H2S-Strip Test
for Safe Drinking Water Supply in Rural Areas, sponsored by the Rajiv Gandhi
National Drinking Water Mission (Govt. of India) and the UNICEF (2001-2004)
• Molecular diagnosis based on DNA fingerprinting developed for 25 important
pathogens of public
health importance (2002)
• Confirmation and containment of Plague outbreak in Himachal Pradesh and
Uttaranchal in the shortest possible time (2002 and 2004)
• First time detection of mosquito larvicidal properties of indigenous plant, Carica
papaya (2004)
• Over 200 gene sequences of Indian strains of important human pathogens unveiled
by NICD, accepted
by Global Genome Bank of NCBI, NIH, USA, submitted to gene bank (2004)
• First time detection of the mosquito larvicidal properties of indigenous plant,
Ipomoea cairica (2004)
• Establishment of Tissue Culture facility for isolation of Arboviruses (Dengue, JE,
CHIKV) (2004)
• Integrated Disease Surveillance Project launched (2004)
• Microbiological evaluation of Solar Disinfection (SODIS) method of drinking water
purification (2004-2005)
• MoU signed between NICD and GGSIP University, Delhi for PhD courses. NICD
recognized as
advanced research centre in the School of Medicine & Paramedical Health Services by
GGSIP University (2005)
• First inventory of Museum Specimens published (2005)
• First time detection of JE virus in Culex vishnui mosquitoes from Karnal (Haryana)
(2006)
• India formally declared elimination of Yaws on 19th September (2006)
• International patent granted to a potential bio-control agent, Chilodonella uncinata,
for mosquito larval control (2006)
• Masters in Public Health (Field Epidemiology) 2 year course started at NICD (2006)
• Nodal laboratory for national Avian Influenza surveillance(2006)
• First time detected JE virus in Culex vishnui mosquitoes from Saharanpur(UP), and
Karnal (Haryana) (2007)
• Participation of Central Plague Laboratory in EQAS programme for Plague with
National Institute of Communicable Diseases, South Africa (2007)
• National patent filed on the invention of desert cooler which prevents the breeding of
Aedes aegypti, vector of Dengue and Chikungunya inside the cooler (2007)
• Proposal for up-gradation of NICD to NCDC was approved (2007)
• First time detected Dengue virus in Aedes aegypti and Ae. Albopictus mosquitoes
from Delhi (2008)
• First time detected JE virus in Culex vishnui mosquitoes from Baghpat (UP) (2008)
• Pilot Projects of control of Leptospirosis and Prevention and Control of Human
Rabies started under XI Five Year Plan (2008)
• First time identified the soil factors supporting the breeding of Leishmaniasis
transmitting sand flies in India (2008)
• Member of National Consortium of Laboratories, testing quality of diagnostic kits
for HIV (2008)
• 100 year Celebration. NICD re-designated as NCDC (2009)
• Establishment of Centre for Non-communicable Disease, Centre for Environment
and Occupational
Health and Division of Climate Change at NCDC (2015)
• India declared Yaws free (2016)
• Notified as National Coordination Centre for AMR Containment (2017)
• Completed National Level TOTs for Medical Officers from 29 states and 4 UTs to
roll out Population Level Screening for Non-Communicable Disease (2017).
 UPGRADATION

 Enhanced scope of referral diagnostic support services for disease outbreak

investigators and networking of public health laboratories
 Enhanced capacity of disease surveillance and response
 Enhanced capacity for development of trained manpower in public health
 Trained, Central Rapid Response Teams (RRTS) available for 24x7 for disease
outbreak control
 Enhanced quality operational research for better diseases control
 Preparedness against threats of bioterrorism.

Functions-
TRAINED HEALTH MANPOWER DEVELOPMENT

Special emphasis is given to trained health manpower development that is essential

for the successful implementation of different health programmes in the country.
Besides the regular training programmes, numerous short-term training activities are
conducted every year. The course curricula of these training programmes are designed
to develop the necessary need-based skills. The participants to these courses come
from different States/Union Territories of India. In addition, trainees from some of the
countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Nepal, Maldives, Timor
Leste and North Korea also participate in the training programmes. The NCDC also
conduct customized training programmes for international participants. These courses
are sponsored by international agencies like WHO, UNICEF, CDC and USAID.
Training programmes carried out by NCDC are:

India EIS Programme

NCDC conducts two year India Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) Programme in
collaboration with CDC, Atlanta. The programme focuses on hands-on training in
epidemiologic service for public health professionals. Trainees engage in outbreak
investigation, designing and analyzing epidemiological studies, analysis and
evaluation of surveillance data, scientific communication, and other activities in
preparation for careers as field epidemiologist. Every year nominations are invited by
an advertisement. Eligibility criteria and other details of the programme are also
available on NCDC website.

MPH (FE) Course

NCDC conducts two year Master in Public Health (Field Epidemiology) course
affiliated to the Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi. Total numbers of
seats are 20 out of which two seats are earmarked for WHO sponsored candidates.

Regional Field Epidemiology Training Programme (FETP)

A tailor made programme for the middle and senior level health personnel from
countries of South East Asia Region to strengthen their epidemiological skill. This
three month programme is conducted once a year.
Regional Training Programme on Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases
The four week programme is conducted once every year and is designed to augment
the capacity to understand disease dynamics in community and intervention for its
prevention and control.

Vector Borne Diseases

Training of four weeks in Vector Borne Diseases is carried out in partnership with
NVBDCP, NIMR (ICMR) and NIHFW.

MSc., MPH and Ph.D. Programme

NCDC is recognized as the approved centre for guiding the students under Guru
Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi other Universities.

APPLIED RESEARCH

Applied research in various aspects of communicable as well as non-communicable

diseases has been one of the prime functions of the NCDC. To achieve this, the NCDC
is actively engaged in research in the following broad areas:

Applied research in the field of bacteriology, virology, mycology, immunology,

parasitology and quality control of diagnostic reagents with an aim of improving
diagnostic capabilities of diseases of public health importance and giving laboratory
support to the investigation and control of disease outbreaks. The important diseases
include Cholera, Dengue, Diphtheria, Filaria, Fungal infections, Hepatitis, HIV/AIDS,
Influenza, JE, Kala-azar, Leptospirosis, Malaria, Measles, Meningitis, Rabies,
Rubella, Scrub Typhus, Soil Transmitted Helminthis, Tuberculosis, and Zika Virus
Disease etc.
Field based research through longitudinal studies of various epidemic prone diseases
Laboratory and field oriented research in the transmission dynamics of arthropod
borne diseases with the ultimate objective of vector control
Evaluation of new formulations of insecticides and biocides and screening of
indigenous herbs to evaluate their insecticidal properties
Studies on biological hazards of pesticides
In-vitro culture of pathogens, rapid diagnostic tests including molecular techniques

SPECIALISED SERVICES

The NCDC provides various referral services and technical support to individual
patients, community, medical colleges, research institutions and State Health
Directorates. These include diagnostic and clinical, teaching aids, storage and supply
of vaccines and quality control of biological. The different services available are
given below:

Diagnostic: NCDC provides referral diagnostic services for various communicable

diseases, some of which are ordinarily not available in hospitals and medical colleges.
These include diagnosis of Cholera, Dengue, Diphtheria, Filaria, Fungal infections,
Hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, Influenza, JE, Kala-azar, Leptospirosis, Malaria, Measles,
Meningitis, Rabies, Rubella, Scrub Typhus, Soil Transmitted Helminthes,
Tuberculosis, and Zika Virus Disease.

Storage and supply of Diagnostic Reagents: The NCDC stores reagent and test kits
on behalf of the Directorate General of Health Services and distributes to various State
Health Directorates and medical colleges.

Entomological Services: Includes identification of arthropods of medical importance

specially during disease outbreak situations, provides larvivorous fishes for the
biological control of mosquitoes to various public health agencies.

Quality Control of Insecticides: The NCDC undertakes laboratory and field

evaluation of insecticides/biocides to meet the requirements of the Registration
Committee (RC) of Central Insecticide Board (CIB).

Supply of research materials: Various bacterial and fungal isolates, virus cell lines,
Malaria, Filaria, Kala-Azar, Rabies, Diphtheria, Meningococcus slides, live cultures
and preserved materials of arthropods are provided to medical colleges and research
institutions.

Outbreak investigations: The NCDC investigates and recommends control measures

for the outbreaks of various communicable diseases to the States/UTs all over the
country as well as to some neighbouring countries. Verification of rumours of
eradicated diseases: Guineaworm, Yaws and Poliomyelitis. Supply of teaching
materials: The NCDC provides teaching materials on various communicable diseases
in the form of slides, charts, maps, procedure manuals, pamphlets and books etc.
 PUBLICATIONS

CD Alert is a technical bulletin of the NCDC, Directorate General of Health Services,

to disseminate information on various aspects of communicable diseases to medical
fraternity and health administrators. It is widely circulated to different parts of the
country including Directorates of Health Services of different States, Districts,
Primary Health Centres, Medical Colleges and individuals.

NCDC Newsletter is a quarterly publication with the purpose to provide a forum for
sharing information on outbreaks, programme updates and information on any event
of public health importance.

NATIONAL HEALTH PROGRAMMES AND NEW INITIATIVE

 National Programme on Climate Change & Human Health (NPCCHH)
 Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP)
 Guinea Worm Eradication Programme (GWEP)
 Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Containment
 Yaws Eradication Programme (YEP)
 National Viral Hepatitis Surveillance Programme
 National Rabies Control Programme
 Programme for Prevention and Control of leptospirosis
 Inter-Sectoral coordination for Prevention and Control of Zoonotic Diseases .

NCDC Branches
 Alwar Branch
 Bengaluru Branch
 Coonoor Branch
 Jagdalpur Branch
 Kozhikode Branch
 Patna Branch
 Rajahmundry Branch
 Varanasi Branch
 Division of Establishment & Strengthening of new branches of NCDC

DIVISIONS AND TECHNICAL CENTRES

Centre of Epidemiology

 Organization and coordination of training courses in Epidemiology to develop trained

health manpower. Development of teaching materials such as Modules, Manuals etc.
on disease surveillance and outbreak investigation of epidemic prone communicable
diseases.
 Investigation of outbreak of diseases of known/unknown etiology and recommend
 measures for its prevention and control to the States/UTS of the country. Provision of
technical support to State government for investigation and control of disease
outbreaks.
 Provision of technical support to various National Health Programmes in the form of
developing guidelines for control, manpower development, evaluation of different
components/ indicators.
 Assisting the Director for publication of monthly Bulletin "CD Alert".

Division of Microbiology

Microbiology Division is one of the oldest and largest divisions of NCDC, Delhi. The main
objective of the Division is to provide technical support for national health programme,
outbreak investigation, operational research and manpower development in the field of
communicable diseases.
 Laboratory support to various National Health Programmes
 Provide laboratory, support to Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP)
 Provide laboratory support for diagnosis of respiratory viruses infections
 Monitoring drug resistance in bacterial pathogens of public health importance.
 Identification of bacterial and viral Enteropathogens (Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella,
Shigella, Escherichia coli and Rotavirus) in suspected acute gastroenteritis cases.
 Diagnostic medical mycology services
 Referral services for identification and typing of bacterial and viral isolates received
from medical colleges and other institutes across the country
 Bacteriological testing of drinking water
 Conducting of training programmes/workshops for laboratory personnel
 Evaluation of diagnostic reagents
 Co-ordination of National health programmes
 Referral laboratory diagnostic services
 Investigation of outbreaks and support of laboratory tests for the same

Division of Zoonosis

Zoonosis Division is primarily a laboratory division which provides referral diagnostic

services for Zoonotic diseases of public health importance including outbreak prone and
emerging infectious diseases. Laboratories under zoonosis division are of national
importance comprising of Plague laboratory, Anthrax laboratory, Leishmania laboratory,
Toxoplasma laboratory, Cysticercosis laboratory, Hydatid laboratory, Arbovirus diseases
laboratory, Leptospir laboratory, Brucella laboratory, Rickettsia laboratory, Borrellia
laboratory, Rabies laboratory, Quality control and Quality assurance laboratory, Tissue
culture laboratory, Molecular laboratory, Media laboratory, Sterilization and Washing
laboratory. Zoonosis division also has two National Surveillance Centers viz Plague
Surveillance Centre and WHO Collaborating Centre for Rabies Epidemiology.

Centre for Medical Entomology & Vector Management

Centre for Medical Entomology and Vector Management is reorganised to develop it as a

National Centre par excellence for undertaking research, providing technical support and to
develop trained manpower in the field of vector-borne diseases and their control.
Major Activities-
 Phase III field trial of Duranet LLIN against malaria mosquitoes at ecologically
different locations
 Aedes surveillance in Delhi and NCR area.
 Dengue and JE viral detection in mosquitoes.
 Aedes surveillance from 11 International Airports/seaports to keep airports and
seaports mosquito free as per International Health Regulation, MOH&FW under IHR
Act-2005 I
 One month training course on Public Health Entomology for District Malaria
Officers/Entomologists/Municipal Corporation Department.
 Division maintains the vector mosquito colonies of Anopheles stephensi, vector of
Malaria, Culex quinquefasciatus, vector of Filariasis and Aedes aegypti vector of
Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika virus
 Mosquito Proof Desert Cooler (NICD Cooler): The NICD cooler is a patented item
and registered with National Research Development Corporation and is being
manufactured and marketed by the 12 agencies in the country.

Centre for AIDS & Related Diseases

This laboratory was initially started as AIDS Reference Laboratory in Division of

Microbiology (since 1985). Subsequently this laboratory was upgraded as a "Division" in the
year 1995 and later as a "Centre" known as Centre for AIDS & Related Diseases (CA&RD)
in the year 2004. This centre is one of the 13 National Reference Laboratories (NRL) for
HIV testing under the aegis of National AIDS Control Organization (NACO). The activities
of the centre are to conduct External Quality Assessment Scheme (EQAS) for HIV serology
for 13 State reference laboratories (SRLS) of 4 states Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana & Jammu
and Kashmir, confirmation of HIV sero status of referred samples from SRLS, CD4 testing
on HIV samples referred from Deep Chand Bandhu & DDU ART centers, providing HIV
counseling and testing services under Integrated counseling & testing centre (ICTC),
diagnosis of Syphilis by RPR & TPHA, testing under HIV surveillance (ANC & High risk
group) & Quality control testing of HIV, HBV & HCV diagnostic kits. The Centre achieved
NABL accreditation as per ISO 15189:2007 in the year 2011 and renewal of the same as per
ISO 15189:2012 in the year 2015 and the certificate is valid up to February 2020.

Division of Biochemistry & Toxicology

For the effective and efficient functioning of the Biochemistry Division a proposal for
strengthening of Biochemistry Division is under process. Two different committees were
constituted under the chairmanship of Dr. N.S. Dharamshaktu, Additional Director General,
DGHS, Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi and Director of NCDC. As per the recommendations of
these two committees a proposal has been sent to DGHS & Ministry of Health& FW for
Infrastructure, Equipments & HR requirement. Physical facilities and other requirements of
laboratories of Biochemistry Division are under process. Moreover, the main thrust areas of
Biochemistry Division are:
 Training needs Assessment (TNA) for HR at National, state and District level public
 health Labs monitoring lodine deficiency Disorder and Fluorosis. Design trainings
thereafter.
 To monitor the national public health programmes (NIDDCP, NPPCF etc.).
 Research priorities in medical and public health Biochemistry.
As per the recommendations of advisory committee, the division has initiated to set down
specification of instruments and finally submitted to specification committee of NCDC for
further action.Presently the division is conducting routine blood tests, lipid profile, Routine
urine examination of the referred patients and employees posted at NCDC.

Division of Parasitic Disease

Department of Parasitic Diseases is associated with activities related to Neglected Tropical

Diseases namely Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis, Lymphatic Filariasis and Guinea worm
Disease. The department functions as National Nodal Technical Agency for Soil Transmitted
Helminthiasis and Guineaworm Eradication Programme. India was declared free of
Guineaworm disease in year 2000. Surveillance is being maintained for Guinaeworm
Disease in the post eradication phase through monthly reports, verification of Guineaworm
rumours & maintaining rumor record till Global Eradication is achieved. The department has
been continuously monitoring the STH disease burden in the country through periodic
prevalence assessment surveys. Monitoring efficacy of principal anti-helminthic drugs,
expanding the scope of STH preventive chemotherapy to other vulnerable population groups
and research on newer diagnostic techniques also form the core activities of department.
Also, active contribution is being made towards Filaria Elimination from the country through
capacity building of medical & para-medical state health personnel. Regular disease &
morbidity management clinics as well as diagnostic support (Night blood smear and
serological examination) is being provided through the branches.

Division of Malariology & Coordination

Broad objectives/ activities-

 Provide technical support for outbreak investigations, conduct operational research
and trained manpower development in the field of malarial diseases and their control
in the country.
 Diagnostic support is provided to State Governments for laboratory diagnosis of
malaria infection.
 Coordination of visits of dignitaries/delegations to NCDC.
 Coordination. & conduct of the short term orientation/training visits & conference etc.
of under and post graduate medical, nursing and homeopathic students & other
professionals.
 Contribute academically/ technically in various meetings, seminars, symposium and
review meetings/missions when invited as participant.
 Coordinate with various divisions at NCDC in finalization of draft material of
Parliament Questions, compilation of various technical/administrative materials as
requested to NCDC from Ministry.

Centre for Environmental & Occupational Health and Climate Change & Health.
NCDC found a new CEOH&CCH Division in the year 2015 with objectives to create
awareness and to promote advocacy among professionals from health as well as other sectors
in issues relating to environmental-occupational health and health consequences of climate
change. The Division provides technical support to the Central and State governments in
environmental health and climate change and health related policy making and planning
interventions. The Division supports development of technical capacity in aeas of
environmental health, occupational health as well as climate change and health by
facilitating appropriate training of health personnels. It also guides the states in making an
assessment of their vulnerability and building adaptation capacity to climate change from
health sector perspective.

Centre for Non-Communicable Diseases

Centre for Non-communicable Diseases established in Feb. 2015 with a mandate to provide
the technical support to National Programme for prevention & Control of Cardiovascular
diseases, diabetes, cancts and stroke (NPCDCS) in areas of surveillance, Monitoring &
Evaluation, Capacity development, Advocacy and research. Achievements of Centre for
NCD, NCDC (i) Internal review of NPCDCS in the initial 100 districts of programme
implementation (2010-11), Nov 2015-Feb 2016 (ii) Celebration of World Health Day at
National Level 2016 (iii) Organized a National Seminar on RHD in Joint Collaboration of
Dte GHS, MOHFW 2017, (iv) prepared module for medical officers for prevention and
control of common NCDs under NPCDCS, (v) Completed National Level TOTs for medical
officer from 29 states and 4 UTS to roll out Population Level Screening for NCD in 2017.
(vi) worked as one of the implementing agency for National NCD Monitoring Survey 2017-
18 in seven northern states of India.

Statistical Monitoring & Evaluation Centre

The Statistical Monitoring and Evaluation Cell (SM&EC) provides Professional Statistical
support to the various Divisions of NCDC office, which are broadly categorized as under:

• Participation in teaching and training of Statistics to the participants of various

courses/training programmes organized by NCDC

• Provide statistical support to all Divisions in planning research studies and interpretation of
data

Preparation of weekly reports on Cholera and H1N1 Cases tested by Microbiology Division
of NCDC

• Conducting Training programme on Biostatistics including computer training for

officers/staff of NCDC including branches.

ENTOMOLOGICAL MUSEUM

Centre for Medical Entomology & Vector Management maintain an entomology museum
which housed with many species of insects (Diptera, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera,
Odonata, Hemiptera & Orthoptera) and few arachnids. A total of 1,08,757 specimens
(89,464 Mosquitoes belonging to 31 genera and 539 species) are placed in the museum.
Besides these, there are 19,293 entomological Specimens, other than mosquitoes. The oldest
specimen is from United Kingdom collected in 1902, and the oldest collection from India is
of malaria vector Anopheles culcifacies collected, in 1905 from Karnal, Haryana.

CENTRAL LIBRARY

NCDC is the only library in the country, which has got early literature in the field of Malaria
and other vector borne diseases prevalent in the country. An archival book on Entomology,
published as early as 1745, is available in the library. It has a collection of rare books,
reference books, manuscripts, original reports, etc. The library has up to date literature on
vector-borne diseases, communicable diseases (Bacteriology, Parasitology, Microbiology,
Mycology, etc), Biochemistry, Immunology, Epidemiology. and other specialties. The
NCDC library has a total of 37618 books and bound journals, and 174 Theses/Dissertations.
Also, the library provides the following services to the readers and scientific workers:
Bibliographies: The library regularly provides literature (CD-Alert, Laboratory Manuals, etc)
on various subjects of interest to the research workers and participants attending various
courses at the NCDC.
Reference article retrieving service: Reference articles are retrieved from JCCC- ERMED,
Consortium from National Medical Library, Delhi on receipt of request from Members.
Liaison with other libraries: The library maintains liaison with Scientific and Medical
Libraries in the country through inter-library loan facilities to meet the demand of the
research workers and the participants attending various courses at this National Centre. The
library also gives books and journals to other libraries on inter library loan.
Net searching and Photocopying Services: The library is providing net searching and
photocopying services to the readers and the researchers.
Newspapers/Magazines: The library subscribes 45 newspapers and 28 Magazines, both in
English and Hindi. Newspaper Clippings: Daily Health news clippings are scanned from the
selected
English and Hindi Newspapers and Magazines, The news items on subjects related to
Cholera, Typhoid, Rabies, Yellow Fever, Measles, Japanese Encephalitis, Salmonella,
Influenza, Hepatitis and other epidemic prone diseases and Health Sciences are retrieved
and provided urgently for information to the concerned health officials for initiation of rapid
measures for control. The Library is in the process of upgradation and is moving towards
digitization, on-line journals, and preservation of archival material.

CONCLUSION:

Effective communicable disease control relies on effective response system and effective
response systems rely on effective disease surveillance. A functional surveillance system
is essential to provide information for action on priority communicable diseases; it is a
crucial instrument for public health decision-making. This posting was full of learning and
knowledge. We are thankful to over teachers and all NCDC team for this wonderful
experience.
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