Andhra Pradesh Launches Advanced Public Health Emergency Operations Centre in Mangalagiri
In a major boost to public health readiness, the government of Andhra Pradesh is setting up a state-of-the-art Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) in Mangalagiri. This facility, built with an investment of Rs 5 crore from central funds, will act as the central command hub for managing medical emergencies across the state.
Command and Control for Health Crises
The PHEOC will operate under the medical and health department, focusing on the core principles of "watch, response, and alert." It is designed to monitor, prevent, and respond to a wide range of public health threats, including infectious disease outbreaks, food poisoning incidents, natural disasters, and extraordinary situations like the Covid-19 pandemic.
Health Minister Y Satya Kumar Yadav emphasized that the centre will ensure seamless coordination among various health department wings, district administrations, and other government agencies. "This facility is crucial for planning and implementing emergency response strategies statewide," he stated.
Enhanced Surveillance and Real-Time Integration
The centre will maintain continuous surveillance on disease patterns, tracking seasonal fevers, diarrhoeal illnesses, and other infectious diseases. It will also monitor food poisoning cases and unusual health events to enable prompt medical interventions.
Furthermore, the PHEOC will integrate real-time data from multiple departments, such as:
- Disaster management
- Fire services
- Police
- Other allied agencies
Weather alerts from meteorological authorities will be incorporated to initiate timely precautionary measures, enhancing overall preparedness.
Specialized Focus and Infrastructure
While Andhra Pradesh already has an emergency operations centre under the disaster management department, this new PHEOC is specifically dedicated to ensuring efficient medical service delivery during emergencies. It will function under the supervision of a senior surveillance officer.
The centre is being established under the Prime Minister Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission, which selected 15 States and Union Territories in its first phase for setting up similar command centres nationwide. "The PHEOC, which will be inaugurated soon, represents a significant step in strengthening our health infrastructure," added Satya Kumar Yadav.
State-of-the-Art Facilities
The PHEOC will be equipped with advanced infrastructure to support its operations, including:
- High-speed data transfer systems
- Voice and video conferencing facilities
- Studio facilities for communication and coordination
This investment aims to create a robust framework for handling public health emergencies, positioning Andhra Pradesh as a leader in proactive health crisis management.
