Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative and Animal Health System Support for One Health

Animal pandemics and zoonotic diseases pose significant threats to both animal and human health, and addressing them requires a holistic approach. The Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative and the World Bank-funded Animal Health System Support for One Health are comprehensive efforts launched by the Indian government to enhance preparedness and response to potential animal pandemics through a coordinated and holistic approach that involves various stakeholders.

Understanding the One Health Approach

The One Health approach is a holistic approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. It emphasizes the need to collaborate across sectors and disciplines to address emerging and zoonotic diseases that pose threats to both animals and humans. The One Health approach recognizes that the health of animals, humans, and the environment are closely connected, and addressing health issues in one sector can have positive impacts on the others.

Objectives of the Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative

The Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative aims to enhance India’s preparedness and response to potential animal pandemics. The initiative focuses on integrated disease surveillance and monitoring, early warning and response, vaccine and diagnostics, research and development, and production, and ecosystem coordination with funding and regulatory framework enablers.

Animal Health System Support for One Health

The World Bank-funded Animal Health System Support for One Health project aims to create an ecosystem for a better animal health management system using the One Health approach. The project covers five states in India and focuses on strengthening animal health surveillance, improving diagnostic capabilities, enhancing veterinary services, and promoting public-private partnerships.

Stakeholders Involved in the Initiatives

The initiatives involve collaboration among various stakeholders. This includes the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Government of India, the World Bank, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, State governments, veterinary institutions, research organizations, private sector, and other key stakeholders. Nearly 200 stakeholders participated in the launch event, highlighting the commitment of various stakeholders towards addressing animal pandemics in a coordinated manner.

Month: Current Affairs – April, 2023

Category: Government Schemes Current Affairs • India Nation & States Current Affairs