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Preventing Bio-terror Threat: India Moves A Step Ahead Cautiously
The SOP model to be implemented initially in New Delhi under the auspices of the Union Home Ministry. Then it would be replicated in other vital cities subsequently. The report also says that at least four battalions of central paramilitary forces, which will function as the national disaster response force (NDRF), are currently being trained and equipped to respond to nuclear, radiological and biological emergencies. The MHA will lay down the command, control and preparedness measures and post-attack response mechanism. The National Security Coordination Secretariat (NSCS) in consultation with Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) and secretary, security MHA would constitute a team to do the groundwork, while IB and RAW will finance the initiative. The Ministry of Health is also a part of the initiative, with its role essentially to identify appropriate laboratories, development of appropriate protocol for validation or certification, strategy for procuring, producing and stockpiling of the necessary vaccines and drugs, contamination testing at source of water supply and formulation of effective Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) at the district level.Posted by: 3dc 2007-03-29 |
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