Union Health Secretary Reviews Key Facilities at AIIMS Mangalagiri

This initiative aims to provide early warnings and ensure swift responses to bio-emergencies, including potential public health crises and outbreaks.

Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava has recently conducted a comprehensive review of essential hospital facilities at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Mangalagiri.

Her visit, which included assessments of outpatient departments (OPDs), ABHA registration, radiology, oncology, and emergency services, is part of the Swachhata Pakhwada 2026 campaign running from April 1 to 15, according to reports from the Ministry of Health.

In another significant development, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare unveiled the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) on March 24.

This initiative aims to provide early warnings and ensure swift responses to bio-emergencies, including potential public health crises and outbreaks.

To enhance crisis management, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have been established for the effective handling of emergencies. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has also released guidelines focused on biological disasters, addressing threats such as bio-warfare and bio-terrorism.

These guidelines detail various bio-agents, their key characteristics, epidemiological clues for early detection, as well as protocols for prevention and treatment.

Furthermore, to bolster operational readiness, battalions of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have undergone training to efficiently manage bio-emergencies.

Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai emphasized that these initiatives mark a significant advance towards ensuring coordinated, nationwide preparedness against biological threats.

"During her visit to AIIMS Mangalagiri for #Swachhata Pakhwada (1-15 April 2026), Union Health Secretary Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava reviewed key hospital facilities, including OPD, ABHA registration, radiology, oncology, and emergency services. The visit underscored the focus on cleanliness, patient experience, and strengthening quality healthcare delivery," the MoHFW said on X.

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