PDSRU

Provincial Disease Surveillance and Response Unit

PDSRU INTRODUCTION

Provincial Disease Surveillance and Response Unit (PDSRU) was established in Health Department Gilgit-Baltistan to gather and analyze disease surveillance data from districts and periodically disseminate the epidemiological information to the relevant stakeholders in order to Identify/notify high priority communicable and non-communicable diseases of public health concern for event-based surveillance.

 

PDSRU

Objectives

The objectives of the PDSRU were as below:

  • Review the existing systems involved in Disease Surveillance and Response in Pakistan;
  • Develop/define the mechanism on data collection and reporting and communication mechanism.
  • Provide technical guidance and oversight for development of out-break containment strategies, including frameworks and tools for early warning systems to prevent rapid spread of infectious diseases • Develop the list of Notifiable communicable Diseases for immediate notification
  • Establish general reference guidelines for surveillance activities across all levels with defined roles and responsibilities of units and personnel (HR) for implementation within the Health Department GB
  • Develop a set of standard case definitions and define thresholds that trigger some action for responding to specific diseases;
  • Work with relevant stakeholders to identify resource for development of trainings, supervision and evaluation of surveillance and response activities;
  • Define and establish guidelines for improving early detection and preparedness for outbreak response;
  • Develop and define surveillance SOPs and guidelines for diseases and conditions to guide collection of data on Communicable and non-communicable diseases and events of public health concern
  • Update tools for preparedness and response such as recommended stock lists for outbreak response, laboratory supplies, and personal protective equipment;
  • Define surveillance system monitoring and evaluation indicators including performance indicators for each level of the health system;
  • Explore the use of mobile technology to report surveillance data and make feasible recommendations of incorporation in DHIS/ integrated disease surveillance system;
  • Analyze and use surveillance data to derive evidence based conclusions for policy guidance; and,
  • Develop mechanism and advocate for resource mobilization for the establishment and sustainability of the Surveillance and Response System.