Airports should adhere to standard protocols to counter Ebola

Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda Wednesday directed the civil aviation regulator to ensure that all the isolation and quarantine facilities set up at airports adhere to standard guidelines and protocols.

Besides instructing the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the minister also said a three-member team constituting officials from the ministries of health, civil aviation and immigration will be constituted to inspect all airports to identify the gaps and will submit a report on the issue within a week.

Emphasising the importance of alertness, Nadda said attention should be paid to intensive training and capacity building of all stakeholders to be better equipped to address the threat posed by the Ebola virus.

"Along with the airports, surveillance at sea ports also need to be strengthened," Nadda said.

"The health ministry stressed the health ministry officials to expedite the action plan to make India compliant with the core capacities required under the International Health Regulations."

Nadda also urged the hospitals to develop short- and long-term strategies for medical management of emerging diseases such as Ebola.

"Training of doctors and the para-medical staff needs to be a continuous exercise," he added.

"The large medical force available with the ministry of defence could also be beneficially utilised at the time of need," Nadda said.