Why in the news?

  • The third meeting of the Scientific Steering Committee on One Health Mission was held.

National One Health Mission

  • Ministry: Ministry of Science and Technology.
  • Aim: It aims to institutionalize the One Health approach in India to combat zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and environmental health threats through intersectoral collaboration.
  • Key Pillars:
    • Technology enabled integrated surveillance across sectors.
    • National network of Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) laboratories (for testing high-risk or unknown pathogens).
    • Collaborative and integrated R&D for medical countermeasures including vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics for human-animal-wildlife-livestock health.
    • Data integration across sectors.
    • Training and capacity building in all spheres related to One Health.

One Health Approach

  • Definition: The One Health Approach is a collaborative, multisectoral, and transdisciplinary approach that recognizes the interconnection between human health, animal health, and the environment. It seeks to design and implement policies and actions across these domains for optimal health outcomes.
  • Principles:
    • Human, animal, and environmental health are interdependent.
    • Diseases often emerge at the interface of humans, animals, and ecosystems.
    • Calls for integrated surveillance, prevention, and response to health threats.
    • Promotes cross-sector collaboration among health professionals, veterinarians, ecologists, and policymakers.
  • Relevance:
    • Over 60% of emerging infectious diseases in humans are zoonotic (e.g., COVID-19, Nipah, H1N1).
    • Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) spreads through misuse in humans, animals, and agriculture.
    • Environmental changes such as deforestation and climate change increase disease spillover.
    • Global trade, urbanization, and wildlife exploitation escalate cross-species disease transmission.
  • Applications:
    • Pandemic preparedness and zoonotic disease control.
    • Integrated AMR containment strategies.
    • Food safety and security through monitoring of animal health.
    • Climate-resilient health systems by linking ecological and public health responses.
  • India’s Efforts:
    • Launch of National One Health Mission under the Department of Biotechnology.
    • Establishment of Integrated Public Health Laboratories for zoonotic surveillance.
    • Collaboration between ICMR, ICAR, MoEFCC, and other institutions.
    • Development of National Action Plan on AMR (NAP-AMR) adopting One Health principles.
  • Global Support:
    • Endorsed by WHO, FAO, UNEP, and WOAH as part of a Quadripartite Collaboration.
    • Part of G20 discussions on pandemic preparedness and health system resilience.
    • Promoted by the Tripartite Plus Alliance to combat AMR and zoonoses globally.
  • Challenges:
    • Institutional silos between health, animal husbandry, and environmental sectors.
    • Lack of interdisciplinary training and unified data platforms.
    • Inadequate surveillance systems, especially in wildlife and livestock.
    • Need for sustainable funding, legal frameworks, and public awareness.