India on Monday launched the world biggest online disease surveillance platform-Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) which is  the next generation highly refined version of the presently used  Surveillance Programme. 

 

The platform was launched by the Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Dr Harsh Vardhan virtually. Terming this as the world's biggest online disease surveillance platform, he stated that it is in sync with the National Digital Health Mission and fully compatible with the other digital information systems presently being used in India. The refined IHIP with automated -data will help in a big way in real time data collection, aggregation and further analysis of data that will aid and enable evidence-based policy making, he explained. He applauded NCDC, WHO and all those who have been associated with this development.

“India is the first country in the world to adopt such an advanced disease surveillance system.” He elaborated on the timely need for the software platform: “The new version of IHIP will house the data entry and management for India’s disease surveillance program. In addition to tracking 33 diseases now as compared to the earlier 18 diseases, it shall ensure near-real-time data in digital mode, having done away with the paper-mode of working,” said Dr Harsh Vardhan.  

The virtual event was attended by Health Ministers of various States including Balbir Singh Sidhu (Punjab), Alexander LalooHek (Meghalaya),  K Sudhakar (Karnataka), PrabhuramChoudhary (Madhya Pradesh), Jai Pratap Singh (Uttar Pradesh), EtelaRajendra (Telangana), TS Singh Deo (Chhattisgarh), RLalthangliana (Mizoram), and  S PangnyuPhom (Nagaland).

Dr Harsh Vardhan stated that IHIP will provide health information system developed for real time, case-based information, integrated analytics, advanced visualization capability. It will provide analyzed reports on mobile or other electronic devices. In addition, outbreak investigation activities can be initiated and monitored electronically. It can easily be integrated with other ongoing surveillance program, while having the feature of addition of special surveillance modules.

Dr Harsh Vardhan stated that such an advanced digital platform for scouting the earliest signs of disease spread in the smallest of villages and blocks in the country will immensely help in nipping in the bud any potential outbreak or epidemic. 

“Accurate, reliable and timely information is crucial for a country such as India which has a population of 1.35 billion”, he pointed out. India’s information system for precision public health is essential for delivering ‘the right intervention at the right time, every time to the right population.’ Pointing out that in recent years, the use of technology to enhance precision in public health, including the use of pathogen genomics, enhanced surveillance and informatics, and targeted interventions has steadily gone up, he cautioned that the success of this platform will also depend primarily on the quality of data shared by the states.

Terming this as a ‘historic day’ not only for India for global public health, DrRodericoOfrin, WHO Representative to India stated that this refined digital surveillance platform will help to provide and connect data and move towards ‘One Health’ approach. He mentioned that the portal is a great resource for timely health response measures to be mounted; not only programming, but also in disease prioritization.