UP’s government is ramping up epidemic prevention with significant funding, focusing on infrastructure upgrades, disease surveillance, and public health campaigns. The state has allocated substantial budgets to strengthen healthcare systems, particularly in rural areas, to combat diseases like dengue and malaria. Collaborative efforts with central agencies aim to enhance rapid response mechanisms and ensure timely interventions.
UP’s Strategic Push to Strengthen Epidemic Prevention
Budget Allocation for Healthcare Infrastructure
The Uttar Pradesh government has earmarked over ₹2,000 crore in its 2025-26 budget for epidemic prevention, targeting the enhancement of healthcare facilities. This includes upgrading Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs) across 75 districts, with a focus on rural areas prone to seasonal outbreaks like dengue and malaria. Funds are also directed toward procuring advanced diagnostic equipment to enable early detection of infectious diseases.
Enhanced Disease Surveillance Systems
To bolster early warning systems, UP has invested ₹500 crore in strengthening its Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP). This initiative, in collaboration with the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), aims to monitor and track communicable diseases in real time. The state has deployed 1,200 trained epidemiologists across districts to improve data collection and outbreak prediction, ensuring swift containment of potential epidemics.
Public Health Awareness Campaigns
The state has launched widespread awareness campaigns with a budget of ₹150 crore to educate citizens about preventive measures for diseases like cholera, dengue, and Japanese encephalitis. These campaigns leverage local media, social platforms, and community outreach programs, particularly in high-risk areas like eastern UP, to promote hygiene practices and vaccination drives.
Vector Control and Zoonotic Disease Management
With zoonotic diseases posing a growing threat, UP has allocated ₹300 crore for vector control programs targeting mosquitoes and other carriers. This includes fogging operations, larvicide distribution, and collaboration with the World Bank’s $82 million One Health program to manage zoonotic risks. The state is also focusing on controlling diseases like Japanese encephalitis, with over 10 million children vaccinated in 2024-25.
Rapid Response and Emergency Preparedness
The government has established 50 rapid response teams (RRTs) across UP, backed by ₹200 crore, to address outbreaks within 24 hours. These teams, equipped with mobile testing units and medical supplies, coordinate with the NCDC and WHO to ensure effective containment. Training programs for healthcare workers have been scaled up, with over 15,000 personnel trained in 2025 to handle epidemic scenarios.
Collaboration with Central and Global Agencies
UP’s epidemic prevention strategy includes partnerships with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and global bodies like the CDC and WHO. These collaborations facilitate technical expertise, funding, and training, particularly for antimicrobial resistance surveillance and laboratory capacity building. The National Antimicrobial Surveillance Network (NARS-NET) now covers 30 districts in UP, up from 10 in 2020.
Disclaimer: This article is based on recent reports, government announcements, and data from credible sources like the National Centre for Disease Control, World Bank, and WHO. Information is accurate as of August 2025 and subject to change based on new developments. Readers are advised to verify details with official health authorities for the latest updates.