Integrated Disease Surveillance Project (IDSP) was launched by Hon’ble Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare in November 2004. It is a decentralized, State based Surveillance Program in the country. It is intended to detect early warning signals of impending outbreaks and help initiate an effective response in a timely manner. Major components of the project are : (1) Integrating and decentralization of surveillance activities; (2) Strengthening of public health laboratories; (3) Human Resource Development – Training of State Surveillance Officers, District Surveillance Officers, Rapid Response Team, other medical and paramedical staff; and (4) Use of Information Technology for collection, collation, compilation, analysis and dissemination of data

For Project implementation, Surveillance Units have been set up at Central, State and District level. Surveillance Committees at National, State and District levels are monitoring the Project. Currently linkages are being established with all State Head Quarters, District Head Quarters and all Government Medical Colleges on a Satellite Broadband Hybrid Network. The network on completion will enable 800 sites on a broadband network of which 400 sites will have dual connectivity with satellite and broadband. This network enables enhanced Speedy Data Transfer, Video Conferencing, Discussions, Training, Communication and in future e-learning for outbreaks and program monitoring under IDSP. A 24X7 call center with toll free telephone no 1075 accessible from BSNL/MTNL telephone from all states is in operation since February 2008. This receives disease alerts from anywhere in the country and diverges the information to the respective State/District Surveillance Units for verification and initiating appropriate actions wherever required.

Under IDSP data is collected on a weekly (Monday–Sunday) basis. The information is collected on three specified reporting formats, namely “S” (suspected cases), “P” (presumptive cases) and “L” (Laboratory confirmed cases) filled by Health Workers, Clinician and Clinical Laboratory staff. The weekly data gives the time trends. Whenever there is a rising trend of illnesses in any area, it is investigated by the Medical Officers/Rapid Response Teams (RRT) to diagnose and control the outbreak. Data analysis and action are being undertaken by respective districts. Emphasis is being laid on reporting of surveillance data from major hospitals both in public and private sector and also Infectious Disease hospitals. The compilation and disease outbreak alerts has been started recently. On an average 10-15 outbreaks are reported every week to Central Surveillance Unit, IDSP.

Greener areas in the project are Non Communicable Diseases Risk Factor Survey currently being conducted in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Mizoram. The survey is to be repeated every 3 years and all states to be covered in cycles. Urban Surveillance activities have begun in Kolkata Municipal corporation area and due to begin in Mumbai. Also being set up is a network of 7 major Infectious Disease Hospitals located in different regions of the country for rapid sentinel surveillance. IDSP is supporting activities related to Avian Influenza under IDSP with total outlay of Rs. 20.85 crores for three years (2006-09) for Human Component. A networking model has been developed with 10 laboratories and additionally ICMR with its four branch laboratories.