India’s Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has launched a pilot project in Uttarakhand to implement the ‘One Health Framework’ by One Health Support Unit. The ultimate goal is to develop a national ‘One Health’ roadmap that incorporates lessons learned from this pilot program. This article provides a detailed look at the ‘One Health’ concept and its significance, the framework’s implementation in India, and the impact of various factors on the global health landscape.
The One Health Concept
One Health is an approach that recognizes the interconnected nature of human, animal, and environmental health. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and other organizations have agreed on a blueprint that encourages collaboration across disciplines such as human health, animal health, plant life, soil sciences, environmental conservation, and ecosystem health. The aim is to ensure the health of all species through research and knowledge sharing.
Increasing Significance of One Health
In recent years, the One Health approach has gained importance due to various factors altering the relationships between people, animals, plants, and the environment. Population growth is leading to human expansion into new geographical regions, increasing the contact with animals and their environments. This greater proximity facilitates disease transmission between animals and people.
A significant number – over 65% – of contagious diseases affecting humans originate from animals. Furthermore, environmental disruptions can create opportunities for diseases to spread to animals. Increasing international travel and trade also contribute to the faster spread of diseases.
Scientists have noted that about 1.7 million viruses are circulating in wildlife, many of them likely zoonotic, i.e., transmittable from animals to humans. Unfortunately, without timely detection, India and other countries face the risk of numerous future pandemics.
India’s Implementation of the One Health Framework
Consistent with long-term objectives, India established a National Standing Committee on Zoonoses in the 1980s. The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) has since initiated several programs to curb the prevalence of animal diseases. A dedicated ‘One Health’ unit will soon be established within the Department.
In addition to these efforts, the national government is focusing on strengthening the capabilities of veterinarians and enhancing the animal health diagnostic system through initiatives like the Assistance to States for Control of Animal Diseases (ASCAD). Recently, funds were allocated to establish a ‘Centre for One Health’ in Nagpur. The country’s first ‘One Health’ consortium has also been launched by the Department of Biotechnology.
The Path Forward
The Covid-19 pandemic underscores the relevance of the ‘One Health’ concept, particularly in the governance of contagious diseases and zoonotic disease prevention worldwide. To ensure effective management, India needs to expand this model across the nation and establish meaningful research collaborations globally.
There is a crucial need for best-practice guidelines for informal markets and slaughterhouses, including inspections and disease prevalence assessments. Additionally, mechanisms should be developed to operationalize the ‘One Health’ concept down to the local level. Generating awareness and increasing investments to meet ‘One Health’ targets have emerged as pressing needs.