About Us

Introduction

This is a Central Sector (CS) Scheme approved by the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) Chaired by Secretary (Expenditure) & Finance Secretary in the meeting held on 20th March, 2013. Approval of the CCEA was accorded on 27th June, 2013 at an estimated cost of Rs.646.83 crores for the 12th Plan period. Later approval of Standing Finance Committee (SFC) was accorded on 19.09.2017 at an estimated cost of Rs 488.5 crores for 14th Finance Commission Period (2017-18 to 2019-20). The scheme was further extended by one year till 31stMarch, 2021 in order to tie it up with the 14th Finance Commission Period. The Scheme has been further reviewed by SFC and approval at the total cost of Rs. 324 Crore for its continuation during 15th Finance Commission from 2021-22 to 2025-26.

Objective of the Scheme

• • Creating infrastructure for timely identification of viruses and other agents causing morbidity significant at public health level and specifically agents causing epidemics and/ or potential agents for bioterrorism.
• • Developing capacity for identification ofnovel and unknown viruses and other organisms and emerging/ re-emerging viral strains and develop diagnostic kits.
• • Providing training to health professionals.
• • Undertaking research for identification of emerging and newer genetically active/modified agents.
• • Continual improvement in quality systems in public health laboratories for viral diagnosis.

Status of the Scheme

The scheme was envisaged to help coverage of the entire country for timely diagnosis/identification of viruses during outbreaks of epidemics, generation of data about viral diseases for facilitating quick deployment of resources & measures to save the human lives. Initially the target of the scheme during the 12thplan period was to establish three tier network of Virus Research & Diagnostic Laboratories. As on 31st March 2024, a network of 161 VRDLs (11 Regional Level, 27 State Level and 123 Medical College Level) has been established.