India Launches $25 Million Pandemic Fund for Animal Health

October 28, 2024

Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh launched the Pandemic Fund Project in New Delhi. This initiative focuses on enhancing animal health security in India. It aims to improve pandemic preparedness and response in the livestock sector. The project is backed by a $25 million fund from the G20 Pandemic Fund.

Key Participants

The launch event featured prominent figures. Minister of States for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, and Shri George Kurian attended as Guests of Honour. Other key dignitaries included Shri Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa, and Prof. Dr. V K Paul from NITI Aayog.

Importance of the Livestock Sector

During his address, Minister Singh emphasized the livestock sector’s role in social and economic upliftment. He noted growth in this sector over the past nine years. This growth is attributed to various government schemes aimed at supporting animal husbandry and dairy.

National Animal Disease Control Program (NADCP)

The NADCP is a critical initiative under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. Its primary goals are to control and eradicate Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Brucellosis in India. To date, approximately 90.87 crore FMD vaccines and 4.23 crore Brucellosis vaccines have been administered across the country.

Creation of FMD Disease Free Zones

As part of its ongoing efforts, the department plans to establish FMD Disease Free Zones in nine states. This initiative aims to create safe environments for livestock, reducing the risk of disease outbreaks.

Role of the Pandemic Fund

The Pandemic Fund will improve existing initiatives by enhancing disease surveillance. This includes genomic and environmental surveillance for early warning signs of disease. The fund will also support the development of laboratory infrastructure.

Cross-Border Collaboration

The project promotes cross-border collaboration to manage zoonotic diseases effectively. This approach ensures a more integrated system for monitoring animal health and disease spread.

Integrated Disease Management

The Pandemic Fund Project focuses on creating a comprehensive framework for disease management. This framework will facilitate better coordination among various stakeholders in the livestock sector.

With the support of the Pandemic Fund, the Ministry aims to strengthen India’s capacity to respond to animal health emergencies. The initiative is expected to enhance the overall resilience of the livestock sector against future pandemics.

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