Multi-dept state panel aims to curb infectious diseases

Mumbai: The state govt on Monday announced the setting up of a 33-member high-level committee on the prevention and control of infectious diseases. For the first time, such a committee will not only have members from the public health department, but also from the departments of education, rural development, women and child development, among others.

The central govt had advised the setting up of the multi-departmental advisory committee in all states.

"An epidemic affects various aspects of our lives as we had witnessed during the COVID pandemic. There is a need for coordination between various govt organisations. Hence, the committee has members from other departments as well to chart out an inclusive solution," said a senior state govt official. Dr Swapnil Lale, state director of health services (Mumbai), said, "Infectious diseases could emerge from any source such as water or various vectors such as mosquitoes or ticks. It is thus a necessity to have intersectoral coordination between various departments."

He said at times there are outbreaks of new diseases about which there is little knowledge. When the pandemic started in 2020, there was little information about the virus. "We now have a new variant of monkeypox in some African countries. The apex committee will have experts from various fields who can guide us on how to react to situations," he said.

A state notification issued on Monday said the committee will function at two levels: District and state. The district level infectious disease prevention and control committee will work under the district collector and have members from 20 departments.

The state had the Maharashtra High Level Technical Committee for Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases as per a govt decision in 2015. In 2019, district level committees were set up. The decision to reconstitute them was taken by the state health minister Dr Tanaji Sawant.

A state level infectious disease prevention and control technical committee will be headed by the additional chief secretary of the public health department and include members from 32 other departments. "Members will meet once every three months and review any developing situation vis-a-vis an outbreak or emergency,'' said a state health department press release.

The committee's mandate would not be limited to discussing outbreaks in the state, but also infectious disease patterns in neighbouring states. For example, a few neighbouring states witnessed a Chandipura virus outbreak.