Date: 2025-12-23Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Union Health Ministry’s Two-day Influenza Chintan Shivir Strengthens Inter-Ministerial Convergence for Preparedness and Response ahead of the flu season
**Executive Summary**
The Union Health Ministry, in collaboration with the WHO India, organized a two-day Influenza Chintan Shivir in New Delhi from December 22-23, 2025. The Shivir focused on strengthening inter-ministerial and inter-sectoral convergence for influenza preparedness and response. A key outcome was the development of a structured influenza preparedness checklist to guide preparedness planning across various domains. The Shivir emphasized a consensus on adopting a whole-of-Government and One Health approach to address seasonal and zoonotic influenza.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Purpose and Participation:**
* The Chintan Shivir aimed to strengthen preparedness and response mechanisms for the upcoming influenza season.
* Participants included stakeholders from the MoHFW, ICMR, DAHD, NIHSAD, multiple ministries, research institutions, state governments, and international partners.
* Over 100 representatives attended, with 11 states participating in person and IDSP officials joining virtually.
* **Inauguration and Key Messages:**
* The inaugural session was led by Union Health Minister Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda via video message.
* Emphasis was placed on aligned preparedness, surge capacity planning, and the critical role of the IDSP.
* Coordinated efforts between the Centre and States for robust surveillance systems were stressed.
* **Outcomes and Commitments:**
* A structured influenza preparedness checklist was developed to guide preparedness planning.
* The checklist covers surveillance, early warning, risk assessment, laboratory systems strengthening, hospital preparedness, clinical response, One Health coordination, and RCCE.
* Consensus was reached on adopting a whole-of-Government and One Health approach.
* Commitments were made to strengthen integrated surveillance, enhance laboratory and genomic capacities, and align sectoral action plans.
* **Areas of Focus:**
* The importance of inter-sectoral convergence and strengthening surveillance, laboratory capacity, and clinical preparedness.
**Impact Analysis**
**Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW)**
* **Impact:** The MoHFW will be responsible for implementing the structured influenza preparedness checklist and strengthening inter-sectoral convergence.
* **Action Required:** To utilize the developed checklist to guide preparedness planning and to strengthen integrated surveillance across sectors.
**State Governments and District Authorities**
* **Impact:** These entities are crucial for implementing preparedness plans and conducting surveillance at the local level.
* **Action Required:** To implement the structured influenza preparedness checklist in their preparedness planning and enhance local surveillance efforts.
**Research Institutions (e.g., ICMR, NIHSAD)**
* **Impact:** They will be critical in providing scientific expertise and laboratory support for influenza surveillance and research.
* **Action Required:** To strengthen laboratory and genomic capacities and provide scientific support for surveillance activities.
**Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD)**
* **Impact:** The DAHD is critical in addressing zoonotic influenza and ensuring coordination between human and animal health sectors.
* **Action Required:** To collaborate with the MoHFW to strengthen surveillance across animal sectors and align action plans for zoonotic influenza.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW): Primary organizing entity of the Influenza Chintan Shivir.
Influenza Chintan Shivir: Two-day inter-ministerial event focused on strengthening preparedness and response to influenza.
Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP): Network used for monitoring influenza trends across States and Union Territories.
One Health: Approach adopted to address seasonal and zoonotic influenza, involving various sectors.
National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC): Collaborated with MoHFW and WHO India to organize the Influenza Chintan Shivir.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Union Health Ministry’s Two-day Influenza
Chintan Shivir Strengthens Inter-Ministerial
Convergence for Preparedness and Response
ahead of the flu season
Leads to Development of a Comprehensive, Structured
Influenza Preparedness Checklist Covering Surveillance,
Early Warning, Risk Assessment, Laboratory Systems,
Clinical Response, and One Health Coordination
Chintan Shivir concludes with a consensus on adopting a
whole-of-Government and One Health approach to address
seasonal and zoonotic influenza
Ministries Reaffirm Commitment to Integrated Surveillance,
Strengthened Laboratories, and Coordinated Pandemic
Preparedness
प्रव तथ: 23 DEC 2025 3:39PM by PIB Delhi
The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
(MoHFW), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) India organised a two-day
Influenza Chintan Shivir from 22–23 December 2025 in New Delhi on the theme “Strengthening Inter-
ministerial and Inter-sectoral Convergence for Influenza Preparedness and Response.” Stakeholders from
the Disaster Management (DM) Cell of MoHFW, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR),
Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), and the National Institute of High Security
Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) participated in this Chintan Shivir. The Shivir provided a structured platform
for deliberations to strengthen preparedness and response mechanisms ahead of the upcoming influenza
season.
The inaugural session was inaugurated by Union Health Minister, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, through a
video message. He emphasized the importance of aligned preparedness and response measures, including
surge capacity planning, to build country’s resilience against influenza. He highlighted the critical role of
the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and stressed the need for coordinated efforts
between the Centre and States to ensure robust and collaborative surveillance systems.The Chintan Shivir witnessed participation from around 100 eminent representatives from multiple
ministries, including Health, Animal Husbandry, Agriculture, and Environment, along with premier
research institutions, State Governments, and international partners— furthering the Government’s One
Health and whole-of-Government approach. Eleven States with a history of reporting Influenza Cases
participated in person, while IDSP officials from State & District Surveillance Units joined virtually. This
inclusion enabled cross-learning by sharing best practices. The deliberations included technical
presentations, panel discussions, group work sessions, and State presentations.Influenza still continues to pose a significant public health challenge, particularly for vulnerable
populations such as young children, older adults, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic illnesses.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare continues to monitor seasonal influenza trends across States
and Union Territories in real time through the IDSP network. Deliberations reiterated that influenza
preparedness must be supported through effective inter-sectoral convergence, with MoHFW further
strengthening surveillance, laboratory capacity, and clinical preparedness for early detection and timely
response to seasonal and zoonotic influenza outbreaks.
A key outcome of the Chintan Shivir was the development of a structured influenza preparedness checklist
after detailed deliberations during these two days. The checklist is intended to guide the Centre, States and
Districts in preparedness planning across four key domains:
Surveillance, Early Warning, and Risk Assessment
Laboratory Systems StrengtheningHospital Preparedness and Clinical Response
One Health Coordination and Risk Communication & Community Engagement (RCCE)
The Chintan Shivir concluded with a consensus on adopting a whole-of-Government and One Health
approach to address seasonal and zoonotic influenza. Ministries agreed to strengthen integrated
surveillance across human, animal, and wildlife sectors; enhance laboratory and genomic capacities;
ensure timely data sharing; and align sectoral action plans with the national pandemic preparedness
framework. The deliberations reaffirmed India’s commitment to coordinated national action to prevent,
detect, and respond effectively to influenza and other respiratory viral threats.
******
SR
HFW/NCDC Influenza Chintan Shivir/23Dec2025/1
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2207717) आगंतुक पटल : 441
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