World Health Organization (WHO)

World Health Organization-National Public Health Surveillance Project (WHO-NPSP)

 WHO India Country Office collaborates with the Government of India and relevant stakeholders within the framework of the collaborative Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS), to actively support the development and implementation of national health policies, strategies and plans aiming at promoting access to and utilization of affordable and quality health services and improving the financial protection against health related risks.

The National Polio Surveillance Project (NPSP) of WCO-India was launched in 1997 to work closely with the Union and State governments to support polio eradication activities in India. Following elimination of polio from India in 2011 and certification of WHO SEAR as polio-free in March 2014, NPSP continues to support the government in implementation of the Polio Eradication and End Game Strategic Plan (2019-23).

Further, NPSP has transitioned to the National Public Health Surveillance Project by broadening its scope of work and is providing support for the intensification of routine immunization and vaccine preventable disease surveillance as a part of the overall health system strengthening, supporting the goal of measles and rubella elimination, introducing new vaccines, and addressing other public health priorities in consultation with the Government of India.

WHO-NPSP unit was established in Manipur at the premises of Family Welfare Directorate in 1997. The HR in the unit includes a Surveillance Medical Officer (SMO), an Administrative Assistant (AA), a driver and a janitor. Dr L Iboyaima Singh served as the first SMO from the beginning till December 2012.

Today, the WHO-NPSP Imphal unit supports the Health Department, Manipur in the following activities:

• Provide technical guidance and build capacity of the government and non-government staff to sustain polio-free status as per the polio eradication and end game strategic plan. Facilitate activities for AFP Surveillance, supplementary immunization for polio, strengthening of routine immunization, outbreak response to any wild, vaccine derived or Sabin-like type 2 polioviruses and transitioning to support other public health priorities
• Facilitate activities related to intensification of routine immunization, measles elimination and rubella control and surveillance of vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs)
• In accordance with WCO mandate and as per State priorities and requirements-provide technical assistance for, and strengthening of vaccine preventable disease surveillance, and related outbreak response in coordination with the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP)
• Provide technical support the state in health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic
• Liaise and coordinate with partner agencies, non-governmental organizations, professional bodies for strengthening of above-mentioned activities
• Conduct regular analysis and interpretation of epidemiological, surveillance and immunization data to support appropriate follow up actions by the government and partners 

WHO NPSN areas of support in Manipur

• Vaccine Preventable Diseases Surveillance
  • Capacity building of MOs and health workers
  • Handholding and supportive supervision
  • Active case searches
  • Monitoring
  • Sample shipment and tracking

• Routine Immunization Strengthening
  • Capacity Building of Medical Officers and Health Workers on RI and RI Microplanning
  • Supervision and Monitoring
  • Handholding and on the job training
  • AEFI surveillance

• Supplementary Immunization Programme
  • Intensified Pulse Polio Immunization
  • Intensified Mission Indradhanush
  • Covid Response & Covid Vaccination
  • Data analysis and sharing
  • Support through provisioning of AHF, Oxygen concentrators, PPE, Mask etc.
  • Preparedness assessment
  • Covid vaccination planning and implementation

• Emergency Response 

Various support provided by WHO NPSN to the state are highlighted below.

1. Vaccine preventable diseases surveillance 

             a) Capacity building support achievements.

VPD surveillance WS at Shija, Dec. 2022

          b) Joint monitoring activities with govt. counterpart

SMO WHO conducting active case search in Saikot PHC together with DFWO Churachandpur

          c) Reporting of vaccine preventable diseases in the state

                Acute flaccid paralysis

               Fever Rash reporting

               Diphtheria, Pertussis and Neonatal Tetanus reporting

 2. Routine Immunization support

    a) Capacity building support

WHO SRTL and SMO facilitating State level RI and RI MP training at family welfare directorate 2022

Hands-on RI session site monitoring training to all DFWOs/DIOs

SMO during RI monitoring

3. Accountability structure support: Number of meetings conducted

STFI meeting at Conference Hall secretariat

DTFI meeting in Imphal West DC conference hall

4. Health Emergencies response 

     a. COVID response

Activities supported: Hospital Assessment, Contact Tracing monitoring, Monitoring at quarantine center, Monitoring screening point, Training for covid done with health Staff. Regular analysis of Covid Surveillance

done and feedback shared

     b. COVID vaccination: Supported COVID vaccination from conception, capacity building and monitoring

WHO staff monitoring covid vaccination in JNIMS and RIMS covid vaccination centres

 

      c. In kind support provided by WHO during Health Emergency

          WHO Support State during Covid response in different ways.

• WHO donated 150 oxygen concentrators along with accessories.
• 8500 PPE Kits, 500 monitor based pulse oximeters, masks, hand gloves.
• Donated 18 AHF Tents along with beds, solar lamps, chair, table etc.
• Donated 4170 ASHA Kits. (Umbrella and bag)
• WHO also supported in installation of one AHF Tent at Landslide hit area at Noney

 

 

Emergency Response 

Current staff position in WHO NPSP Imphal Unit