“Four pillars to achieve “One Health”: Prevention; Pandemic Preparedness; Integrated Surveillance; and Joint Responses.” : Dr V K Paul, Member, NITI Ayog
In alignment with the PM Modi’s National One Health Mission, characterised by its cross-ministerial approach, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) organised the 4th Public Health Summit 2023 on October 26 2023.
At the Summit, CII launched the vision report on the One Health titled “The One Health Paradigm: Unifying Health for a Sustainable Future” in presence of Dr V K Paul, Member, NITI Aayog; Roli Singh, Additional Secretary, MoHFW; Hari Menon, Chairman, CII Public Health Council and Director, BMGF, India Country office; Sourav Roy, Chief CSR, Tata Steel. This report highlights key aspects of the One Health approach. It’s an interdisciplinary strategy that acknowledges the interconnected nature of human, animal, and environmental health.
Dr Paul, Member, NITI Aayog addressed the gathering by emphasising the importance of collective action. He outlined four pillars to achieve One Health: Prevention, Pandemic Preparedness, Integrated Surveillance, and Joint Responses. He stressed the significance of targeted research and development, data sharing across systems and organizations, and the need to streamline regulatory systems for rapid pandemic response. Dr Paul highlighted the importance of partnerships, involving state governments, academia, the private sector, civil society, and pharma companies, to successfully achieve the One Health mission.
Roli Singh spoke about the need to organise the public health system effectively and respond to public health challenges with preparedness. She emphasised the importance of a multidisciplinary approach that integrates climate action, public health initiatives, and equitable access to healthcare. Singh noted that strengthening the healthcare system is a collaborative effort, involving state-level implementation and addressing various challenges such as food safety regulations, supply chain management, and animal husbandry.
Menon explained that One Health is a unifying framework that optimises health for humans, animals, plants, and the environment. It focuses on mobilising resources across various sectors, disciplines, and communities to address collective needs, such as food security, safe water, green energy, and climate action. He also added, working in silos can only create changes which are micro- intersectoral collaboration is the key for one health. Coming of 13 departments for One health mission is exemplar and one of a kind for India and world.
Dr Abhijit Mitra, Animal Husbandry Commissioner at the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, highlighted the historical connection between pandemics and animals, underscoring the importance of One Health.
Roy highlighted the essence of the One Health movement as a framework that unifies different aspects. He stressed the need to break away from traditional methods and broaden horizons through collaborative principles and capital investment.
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