Expanding The Scope of National Polio Surveillance Project

1. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has proposed expanding the scope of the National Polio Surveillance Project (NPSP) to track emerging infectious diseases.
2. This adaptation could play a crucial role in early detection and response to new health threats across the country.

Overview of the National Polio Surveillance Project (NPSP)

The National Polio Surveillance Project is a joint effort between the Government of India and the World Health Organization (WHO), aimed at strengthening polio surveillance and monitoring in India.

Key Milestones:

1. Establishment and Focus: Launched in 1997, the NPSP introduced a comprehensive surveillance system for monitoring Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP), a key indicator for detecting potential polio cases.
2. Impact on Polio Eradication: The project significantly contributed to India’s success in eliminating polio, ensuring effective planning and implementation of immunization campaigns. This effort resulted in India being officially declared polio-free in 2014.
3. Integration into National Health Framework: In 2025, the surveillance operations of the NPSP were integrated into the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) under the broader framework of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP).

• This move aims to create a more unified and efficient system for disease surveillance across the nation.