NEW DELHI: Department of Animal Husbandry has entered into a collaborative project on Animal Health System Support for One Health (AHSSOH) with the World Bank aiming to create an ecosystem for a better animal health management system.
Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Parshottam Rupala, will be launching the “Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative (APPI)” as well as the AHSSOH project under the aegis of National One Health Mission on April 14 in New Delhi.
The only way to protect us from future pandemics is through a holistic approach called “One Health”, which focuses on the health of people, animals, and the environment, said Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Rajesh Kumar Singh, in a media briefing.
The project envisages improving capacity building of stakeholders involved in animal health and disease management. It will be implemented in five states. It calls for participation by Human Health, Forest, and Environment Department at the national, regional as well as local for creating and strengthening the One Health architecture including community engagement.
“One Health” approach focuses on the health of people, animals, and the environment. Strong animal health systems are important as essential parts of the approach and essential to support food security and livelihoods of poor farmers. It is also necessary to reduce the risk of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) and zoonoses and Anti- Microbial Resistance (AMR).
It can be done through One Health initiatives which adequately prioritise animal health system with focus and proper investment in strengthening national veterinary services with sufficient staff and infrastructure, disease surveillance at crucial points, like border areas.
