It is the subordinate office of the Directorate General of Health services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India to ensure implementation of International Health Regulation and The Aircraft (Public Health) Rules at IGI Airport, New Delhi. This organization works under administrative and Technical Control of Public Health (International Health) section of Directorate General of Health Services, Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi.

The Airport Health Organizations came into existence in pursuance of The Aircraft (Public Health) Rules, 1954 framed under the Aircraft Act, 1934. The Airport Health Organization, Delhi primarily is a Public Health Organization. It is located at Mahipalpur, Opp. Toll Plaza near AAI Complex, IGI Airport, New Delhi-110037. An Airport Health Officer (APHO) works under the overall control of the Director General of Health Services (DGHS), Govt. of India, stationed at the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Nirman Bhawan New Delhi. The DGHS in turn is assisted by DDG (IH) and ADG (IH). The present building of APHO, Delhi was Inaugurated on 28th February 2009 by then Hon’ble Health Minister Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss.

The Primary objective of this organization is to prevent International Spread of Diseases from one country to another as per International Health Regulations of World Health Organization. This is achieved by Implementation of Following Acts/ Rules:-

1. The Epidemic Disease Act.
2. The Indian aircraft Act, 1934.
3. IHR (2005).
4. The Indian Aircraft (Public Health) Rules 1954.
5. Food standards and safety authority of India Act, 2006.

1. Surveillance of International Passengers and Crew for yellow fever disease: As per the standard procedure all the incoming international passengers of all International flights are screened by the immigration officials for history of travel to yellow fever endemic countries within last 6 days of arriving in India. Thereafter all the passengers who have embarked from or have transited through the yellow fever endemic countries are screened for having proper protection against yellow fever. The Immigration officials are being trained by the Medical Officers of APHO, Delhi on regular basis for this purpose.
2. Quarantine of Passengers: All those passengers, who have embarked from or have transited through the yellow fever endemic countries during six days prior to arriving in India and they are not having proper vaccination against yellow fever, are quarantined as per the Indian Aircraft (Public Health) Rules, 1955. During the period of quarantine the passengers are medically observed for various signs and symptoms of yellow fever disease.
3. Yellow Fever & Polio Vaccination: International vaccination center for Yellow fever, APHO, Delhi provides vaccinations for Yellow Fever and Polio to the international passengers on request who are travelling to/ through the yellow fever endemic countries or Polio Endemic Countries whichever the case.
4. Public Health Clearance of Dead Body/Human Remains: The Public Health Clearance of the Dead Body/ Human Remains imported to India are being provided as in accordance with “THE AIRCRAFT (PUBLIC HEALTH) RULES, 1954 PART 4” officials of Airport Health Organization after checking the necessary documents in order to prevent the spread of any communicable disease of International concern in the country.
5. Activities related to Vector Surveillance :
   1. Vector Surveillance :Vector control activities primarily for Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is vector of yellow fever disease, is undertaken by gulf Pest Control Services under DIAL. APHO staff with the assistance from National vector borne disease control program undertakes periodic monitoring of the vector control activities to ensure that aedes aegypti index is regularly maintained as per the prescribed international norms. National Vector Borne Disease Control Program, Delhi undertakes independent surveys every quarter. On the basis of the monitoring by NVBDCP feedback is given to DIAL for taking appropriate vector control measures.
   2. Flight Dis-insection: surveillance of the aircraft disinsection details is undertaken for all the incoming international aircraft by examination of the General Declaration of Health and passenger manifest submitted by the Crew at the time of arrival to the Airport Health Organization.
6. Sanitary Inspection: International Health Regulations (World Health Organization) requires regular Sanitary Inspection in and around airport premises. Accordingly Airport Health Organization undertakes periodic sanitary inspection rounds at Terminal 1& II. Sanitary inspectors also assist in Vector surveillance, sanitary inspection of the Food outlets, and drinking water sampling for bacteriological testing by National Institute of Communicable Diseases, Delhi, for periodic surveillance of drinking water sources. Details were communicated to airport officials for undertaking appropriate measures.
7. VVIP Food Safety & Surveillance Duties: VVIP food surveillance duties are one of the prime responsibilities of APHO, Delhi at the National capital. Food surveillance activities are undertaken for both national and International Heads of States. Food surveillance activities are undertaken for visits of National VVIPs (Inside country and international visits) and International VIPs at the time of their visits to the National capital.
   International Flights & Domestic Flights were undertaken for the VVIP. During the time of international visits procedure adopted for surveillance of food is planned in the coordination meeting with the PM security staff. Various activities are as follows:
   
   1. Sampling of the raw materials from the designated flight kitchen Stores.
   2. Sampling of Water from various areas of designated flight kitchen. Samples of raw materials are examined at the Delhi Public Health laboratory and bacteriological testing of water samples is done by NICD, Delhi
   3. Examination of the Perishable food items.
   4. Sampling and oral tasting of prepared food items for instant poison.
   5. Results of raw material and water samples collected are communicated to the respective flight kitchen before cooking process starts for the VIP flight.
8. Surveillance of the Food Outlets: As per the FSS Act 2006, APHO, Delhi (Local Health Authority) undertakes inspection of food outlets operating in the airport premises regularly. Lounges, snack counters and restaurants of establishments, who have contracts for serving food and drinks to the passengers and staff at International Airport. For Surveillance of Food samples and water samples are also being picked up for their testing at Designated Labs under the FSS Act, 2006.
9. Medical and Flight Emergencies: A.P.H.O. doctors and paramedics are one of the designated health agency for the purpose of assisting during the time of various flight emergencies and is kept on vigil during the time of all minor/Full emergencies. APHO, Delhi is also involved in WIP movement, visibility stand by, weather stand by etc.
   DIAL has contracted the Medical unit of Medanta (Medicity) for providing emergency medical services for the passengers and the staff deployed at new international terminal T3. Medical Unit at airport also arranges ambulance services at the airport for sick travelers.
10. Training Activities:
    1. Immigration Officials As per the GOI instructions surveillance activities are undertaken primarily by the Immigration officials and then suspects are referred to the APHO, official. Periodic training to the Immigration officials is imparted to orient them about various steps for screening the passengers with regard to yellow fever.
    2. Training for Medical and para-medical staff: Training activities are being arranged for medical and para-medical staff i.e. field workers training, vector surveillance training, Training on Health Screening Procedures etc.
    3. Training for Post Graduate Medical students : The relevant training is also provided to the students visiting APHO Delhi from different organizations as PG students from NIHFW, Medical Colleges and Nursing Colleges and other organizations.
11. Other Activities:
    1. International Health Officer also participate as member for various technical issues with regard to health measures in Dte.GHS.
    2. Disaster Management Mock Drill- APHO, Delhi provides its expert opinion whenever Mock Drill is conducted by DIAL for Disaster Management.
    3. APHO staff provide logistic assistance to officials of Ministry of Health & FW during their departures and arrivals for official international visits.

Emergency Duties

1. Medical & Flight Emergencies- The APHOs are Public Health Organization and perform the public health related activities at the Airport. Every International Airport has health unit to take care any clinical emergency occurring onboard to the passengers or to the staff working at the Airport. In case the emergency is having large number of affected persons then the APHO works along with other control room officers and coordinate with other Government Health facilities for transportation and management of the health services needy persons.
2. Public Health Emergency of International Importance- Activities during the Public Health Emergencies Out Break e.g. COVID 19 Pandemic, Ebola Virus Disease, Yellow Fever Disease, MERS- CoV& Zika Virus Disease
   1. Activation of PHECP
   2. Coordination with other stakeholders.
   3. Functions as per guidelines for PHEIC.
   4. Training of stakeholders.
   5. Procurement and Deployment of additional manpower.
   6. Procurement of material required.
   7. Screening/ Quarantine/ Isolation/ Lab testing/ Transportation/ Contact tracing.
   8. Coordination with National /state/ local agencies.
   9. Reporting.

Officer Incharge

Dr. Binay Kumar
        

Address

Administrative Office and Quarantine Center (International Health Organization, Delhi): Airport Health Organization, Delhi, New Building, Mahipalpur, Near Radisson Blu Hotel, On Approach Road to T-3 Opp. Toll Barrier, New Delhi-110037.
Medical Inspection Room: International Arrival Area just behind the Immigration Counter,Terminal-3, IGI Airport, New Delhi-110037

google map website embed

Phone/Fax

Administrative Office: 011-25655081
Medical Inspection Room at T-3, IGI Airport, New Delhi: 011-25653408,
Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre &Quarantine Hospital: 011-25652129

Email

Administrative Office : apho[dot]del-mohfw[at]gov[dot]in
Yellow Fever Vaccination : apho[dot]del-yfv-mohfw[at]gov[dot]in
Human Remains : apho[dot]del-hum-mohfw[at]gov[dot]in