“Uttar Pradesh has allocated substantial funds to strengthen epidemic prevention, focusing on upgrading healthcare infrastructure, disease surveillance, and rapid response systems. The initiative aims to combat infectious diseases like dengue and malaria, with investments in training, diagnostics, and public awareness. This move underscores UP’s commitment to public health resilience amid rising disease threats.”
Uttar Pradesh Enhances Disease Control with Strategic Funding
The Uttar Pradesh government has rolled out a robust financial plan to fortify its epidemic prevention framework, channeling significant resources into public health infrastructure to tackle infectious diseases. In 2025, the state allocated over ₹500 crore to enhance disease surveillance, diagnostic capabilities, and rapid response mechanisms, targeting diseases like dengue, malaria, and emerging zoonotic threats. This funding is part of a broader strategy to align with national health programs, including the National Health Mission (NHM) and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) guidelines.
A key component of the initiative is the upgradation of public health laboratories across the state. Over 50 district-level labs are being equipped with advanced diagnostic tools to enable early detection of outbreaks. The state has also partnered with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to train over 5,000 healthcare workers in epidemiology and outbreak management, building on the success of the India Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) program.
The funds will also support the expansion of the National Antimicrobial Surveillance Network (NARS-NET) in UP, which now includes 10 additional laboratories to monitor antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This initiative, backed by the NCDC, aims to standardize testing and improve treatment protocols for bacterial infections, a growing concern in the state.
Public health campaigns are another focus, with ₹100 crore earmarked for awareness drives on vector-borne diseases. These campaigns, launched in high-risk districts like Gorakhpur and Lucknow, educate communities on preventive measures such as mosquito control and vaccination. The state reported a 30% reduction in dengue cases in 2024 compared to 2023, attributed to similar efforts, and aims to further curb incidence through sustained interventions.
To address zoonotic diseases, UP is implementing the One Health approach, supported by an $82 million World Bank loan secured in 2023. This program integrates human, animal, and environmental health strategies, with pilot projects in districts like Varanasi and Kanpur to monitor and control diseases like Nipah and avian influenza.
The funding also strengthens the state’s rapid response teams, enabling quicker containment of outbreaks. In 2024, UP’s response to a localized cholera outbreak in eastern districts was lauded for its efficiency, with teams deploying within 24 hours to isolate cases and provide treatment. The state plans to establish 20 new Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) centers by 2026, modeled on CDC-supported frameworks, to enhance hospital preparedness.
District hospitals and primary health centers (PHCs) are being upgraded with telemedicine facilities to improve access to specialized care in rural areas. This initiative, costing ₹150 crore, aims to bridge healthcare gaps in remote regions, where diseases like Japanese Encephalitis remain prevalent.
The state’s collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) has also been pivotal. WHO’s 2024 annual report noted UP’s progress in reducing malaria cases by 80% since 2015, a success the new funding aims to replicate for other diseases. The state is also scaling up its efforts to eliminate leprosy, with WHO-supported training for healthcare workers in high-prevalence districts like Agra and Aligarh.
Disclaimer: This article is based on recent reports, government announcements, and data from reliable sources such as the National Centre for Disease Control, World Health Organization, and World Bank. The information is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Readers are encouraged to verify details with official health authorities.