India Conducts National Mock Drill "Vishanu Yuddh Abhyas" to Test Pandemic Preparedness

The exercise assessed the readiness and response of the National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT), comprising experts from human health, animal husbandry, and wildlife sectors.

India carried out a nationwide mock drill titled "Vishanu Yuddh Abhyas" from August 27 to August 31, 2024, in Ajmer district, Rajasthan.

The drill aimed to assess the country’s pandemic preparedness under the National One Health Mission (NOHM), simulating a zoonotic disease outbreak to test the National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT).

This team includes experts from human health, animal husbandry, and wildlife sectors.

First-of-its-Kind Pandemic Drill

Union Health and Family Welfare Minister JP Nadda emphasized the significance of the drill, stating that it marks the first such exercise to assess India’s preparedness for managing zoonotic disease outbreaks.

He highlighted the role of the One Health Mission in fostering a holistic approach to health by considering humans, animals, plants, and the environment.

The exercise involved multiple stakeholders, including the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), and Rajasthan State Administration.

Independent monitors observed the drill to ensure objective evaluation of the teams involved.

About the Mock Drill

The drill was divided into two key phases: first, the investigation and identification of the virus in the mock outbreak, and second, the actions taken to control its spread among human and animal populations.

The district and state teams, guided by NJORT, responded to the simulated outbreak in a mostly prompt and efficient manner, though areas for improvement were noted.

The "Vishanu Yuddh Abhyas" exercise provided critical insights into India’s pandemic preparedness and underscored the importance of cross-sector collaboration in responding to zoonotic disease outbreaks.

In a related development, in a move to bolster India's healthcare infrastructure against future pandemics, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) sanctioned a substantial $170 million policy-based loan in June this year.

This initiative, termed the Strengthened and Measurable Actions for Resilient and Transformative Health Systems (Subprogram 1), aligns with India's National Health Policy 2017, which aims to ensure equitable access to quality healthcare services.