NCDC | MOHFW

Varanasi Branch

Introduction

Varanasi branch of NCDC also known as Regional Filaria Training & Research Centre, is located in the cultural city of the country in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, 700 Kms. South-East to Delhi. It was opened in 1965 as centre for Operational Research Training and Programme implementation pertaining to NFCP. It assumed role in research and training for revised strategy for control of filariasis using Mass Annual single dosages of DEC.

The branch is currently functioning in the Rent Free renovated building in UCHC Campus, Shivpur, Varanasi. Since its establishment the branch functioned in Bhelupur, Varanasi till 2016. Then it was shifted to Dhelwaria, Chowkaghat, Varanasi from Bhelupur in 2016. Now it has shifted from Dhelwaria, Chowkaghat, Varanasi to UCHC Campus, Shivpur, Varanasi on 16.06.2023.

Mandate of the Division

Coordinate training programme on Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) for Medical/Paramedical officials i.e. Medical Officers/Biologists, Filaria Inspectors/Technicians working in NFCP units & Urban Malaria Scheme (UMS).
Carrying out operational research & training to support National Programme of Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis.
Support to Integrated Disease Surveillance Project (IDSP) in the state of UP.
Outbreak investigation of various communicable diseases in the state of UP & other states as per the directions of NCDC HQ.
Services to public through weekly Night and Day Filaria Clinic and Lymphoedema Management Clinic of filarial patients.
Night Blood Survey for detection of asymptomatic microfilaria (mf) carriers in rural/urban areas of Varanasi.
Entomological surveillance for prevention and control of vector borne diseases.
Cross-examination of NBS slides received from different RoH&FWs for mf. detection as and when required.

Photographs of the Branch

Mosquito larvae collection during Vector Surveillance at LBSI Airport, Varanasi

Awareness session on Monkeypox held for various staff and other stakeholders at LBSI Airport, Varanasi

FBO inspection at LBSI Airport, Varanasi

Ongoing lecture during LFE training programme

Demonstration during training for Lymphatic Filariasis

Demonstration of Lymphoedema in a Filariasis patient to trainees

Field visit of trainees for mosquito collection in households

Trainees searching for mosquitoes on walls of houses

Mosquito collection by trainees during field visit

Mosquito dissection being demonstrated to trainees

Collection of NBS sample of LF patients by trainees during Night Filaria Clinic

Demonstration of Morbidity Management & Disability Prevention (MMDP) practices to trainees attending LFE training programme

Group photograph with trainees attending LFE training programme

Staff Details

Head of the Division

Dr. Prateek Kumar Singh

MBBS

MA (Hindi)

MTS

📧 ncdcvns@gmail.com

📞 0542-2211882

Activities at Varanasi Branch

Night Filaria Clinic: One of the most important activity undertaken at this centre is that of running of Night Filaria Clinic. This centre acts as local Filaria Hospital since over last 56 years since its inception in 1965. It also acts as referral centre for diagnosis and treatment of suspected cases of Lymphatic Filariasis. One Night Filaria Clinic on every Thursday is being conducted at this centre. Patients are examined and treatment/advice given during Day Clinic. Blood Smears are collected from patients attending the Night Filaria Clinic on Thursday between 19:00 hrs to 21:00 hrs and examined for evidence of microfilariameae.

Day Filaria Clinic: Two, Day Filaria Clinics are conducted on every Monday and Wednesday at this centre. All the patients are provided with anti-filarial therapy and they are also advised and demonstrated proper washing and care of affected body part for prevention of ADL attacks.

Lymphoedema Management Clinic: In addition to Filaria Clinic, a Lymphoedema Morbidity Management Clinic is functioning at this centre since October 2001, as part of programme for Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis. Patients suffering from different grades of Lymphoedema/other chronic manifestations of Lymphatic Filariasis attend this centre for washing and other methods of Lymphoedema Management of the affected parts. They were demonstrated proper foot care, hygiene and maintenance to prevent further ADL attacks.

Training and capacity building: Since its inception, this centre has conducted several training courses for Medical Officers/Biologists & Technicians/Inspectors working under National Filaria Control Programme (NFCP) & Urban Malaria Scheme (UMS) of different Filaria endemic States/Union Territories of the country. The duration of the training courses ranges from three working days to five working days depending upon the requirement of the programme. These training courses include in-depth training on Filariology (Entomology, Parasitology), morbidity management and the concept of Mass Drug Administration (MDA) for elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis.

Total 04 training programmes are conducted every calendar year, 02 each, of three working days for Medical Officers/Biologists/District Programme Officers and 02 each, of five working days for Filaria Inspectors/Technicians.

Officials of this branch participated and presented research papers in various conferences of different organizations held from time to time.

Dr. PK Singh, MO & OIC, NCDC Varanasi branch was designated the Nodal Officer for APHO, Prayagraj Airport to oversee ad coordinate the necessary Public Health arrangements during the Mahakumbh 2025 from 13.01.2025 to 05.03.2025. The APHO duty at Prayagraj Airport was performed by the officials of this branch.

He also has the additional charge of APHO, LBSI Airport, Varanasi. Activities like routine vector surveillance, food safety inspection and health screening of passengers are carried out regularly at LBSI Airport, Varanasi.

Research Projects and Publications

Kumar V, Mishra A, Yadav AK, Rathaur S, Singh A. Lymphatic filarial serum proteome profiling for identification and characterization of diagnostic biomarkers. PLoS One. 2022 Jul 6;17(7):e0270635. DOI Link
Research paper “Lymphatic Filarial Serum Proteome Profiling for identification and characterization of Diagnostic Biomarkers” by Vipin Kumar, Ayushi Mishra, Awadhesh Kumar Yadav, Sushma Rathaur, Anchal Singh published in PLOS ONE on 06.07.2022.
Baskar V, Dwivedi A, Yadav AK, Anjum Z, Garg S, Garg VK, Goel A. Point Prevalence of Lymphoedema among Cases of Lymphatic Filariasis in the Endemic District of Varanasi in India. Journal of Communicable Diseases. 2023;71-74. DOI Link
Research paper “Point Prevalence of Lymphoedema among cases of Lymphatic Filariasis in the Endemic District of Varanasi in India” by Sh. Vetrivel B., Dr. Awanindra Dwivedi, Dr. AK Yadav, Dr. Zari Anjum, Dr. Shubha Garg, Dr. Vinay Kumar Garg and Dr. Atul Goel published under 2023 Special Issue: XIV Annual Conference of India Society of Malaria & other Communicable Diseases (ISMOCD) on 21.10.2023.
Dwivedi A, Baskar V, Yadav AK, Garg S, Garg VK, Ranjan R, Goel A. Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Serum Cytokines Expression in Lymphatic Filariasis Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Pilot Study. Journal of Communicable Diseases. 2023;25-29. DOI Link
Research paper “Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation of Serum Cytokines Expression in Lymphatic Filariasis patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Pilot Study” by Dr. Awanindra Dwivedi, Sh. Vetrivel B., Dr. AK Yadav, Dr. Shubha Garg, Dr. Vinay Kumar Garg, Dr. Ravi Ranjan and Dr. Atul Goel published under 2023 Special Issue: XIV Annual Conference of ISMOCD on 21.10.2023.

Laboratories / Units

Sub-Unit: NIL

Sub-Division: NIL

Laboratories:

Parasitology Lab
Entomology Lab
Epidemiology Lab

Officer-in-Charge of these laboratories: Dr. Prateek Kumar Singh, MO & OIC

Contact Us

Full Mailing Address:
National Centre for Disease Control, Regional Filaria Training & Research Centre, UCHC Campus, Shivpur, Varanasi – 221003, Uttar Pradesh

Email: ncdcvn@gmail.com

Phone: 0542-2211882

Fax: N/A