ONE HEALTH
1. Context
The concept of ‘One Health’ is currently gaining popularity worldwide; India has of late been taking significant strides to deploy concepts and strategies rooted in this idea to bolster the way it responds to health crises. However, One Health is not a new concept.
2. One Health
- One Health is a comprehensive approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of human health, animal health, and the environment.
- It emphasizes the collaboration of various disciplines to address complex health challenges that emerge from the dynamic interactions between these domains.
Key Principles:
- Interconnectedness: One Health acknowledges that the health of humans, animals, and ecosystems are intertwined. Diseases can pass between species, affecting health on a global scale.
- Collaboration: One Health promotes collaboration among medical professionals, veterinarians, ecologists, environmental scientists, and policymakers to address health issues jointly.
- Prevention: The approach emphasizes proactive measures to prevent disease outbreaks by understanding their origins in animals and environments.
- Resource Efficiency: By coordinating efforts, One Health minimizes resource wastage, improves response times, and enhances preparedness for health threats.
3. Significance:
- Zoonotic Diseases: Many infectious diseases that affect humans originate in animals. One Health helps identify and manage these zoonotic diseases effectively.
- Antimicrobial Resistance: The misuse of antibiotics in both human and animal health contributes to antimicrobial resistance. One Health strategy can mitigate this global challenge.
- Environmental Impact: Human activities impact ecosystems, leading to health risks. One Health recognizes the need to safeguard the environment for overall health.
4. Application:
- Disease Surveillance: Monitoring and early detection of disease outbreaks in animals can prevent their spread to humans.
- Research: Collaboration facilitates research on diseases, transmission pathways, and factors contributing to health risks.
- Policy Development: One Health insights guide the creation of policies that consider health across species and ecosystems.
- Public Health Preparedness: By understanding disease origins, One Health aids in preparing for potential pandemics.
5. Recent one health Initiatives
COVID-19's Impact:
- The pandemic emphasized the One Health approach's significance.
- Led to the global launch of One Health-based interventions.
6. India's Initiatives:
Standing Committee on Zoonoses (2006):
- Set up under MoHFW.
- Guided Union and State governments on zoonotic challenges.
Post-Pandemic Boost:
- The pandemic spurred India's focus on zoonotic issues.
- Prompted various One Health initiatives.
7. Consortium on One Health (October 2021):
Department of Biotechnology's Launch:
- First consortium on One Health in India.
- Involves 27 organizations from different ministries.
- Aims: Assess transboundary animal diseases and zoonotic diseases. Strengthen cross-cutting collaborations among animal, human, and wildlife sectors. ₹31 crore allocated for 3 years.
One Health Pilot Project (June 2022):
- Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairy (DAHD): Launched project in Karnataka and Uttarakhand.
- Partnership: Collaboration with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Confederation of Indian Industry.
- Objective: Enhance intersectoral collaborations. Focus on improving livestock, human, wildlife, and environmental health.
Upcoming 'National One Health Mission:
- Spearheaded by the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor.
- Aim: Coordinate, support, and integrate existing One Health initiatives across India.
8. Implementing One Health: Stages and Challenges
Stage 1: Communication:
- Establish communication mechanisms among ministries/sectors.
- Keep stakeholders engaged in One Health transformation.
- Regular meetings for progress review.
- Example: National Standing Committee on Zoonoses (MoHFW).
Stage 2: Collaboration:
- Initiate knowledge exchange among sectors.
- Translate ideas into short-term interventions.
- Define roles in zoonotic management.
- Collaboration for disease risk assessment, surveillance, capacity building, research, outreach.
- Example: DAHD's One Health pilot project in Karnataka and Uttarakhand.
Stage 3: Coordination:
- Routine, long-term activities.
- Led by national/subnational agency for efficient coordination.
- Activities: Environmental, disease surveillance, trade monitoring, awareness campaigns.
- Upcoming 'National One Health Mission' in India.
Stage 4: Integration:
- Adapt vertical sectors for intersectoral goals.
- Policy framework for efficient resource sharing.
- Integration and synergy development across sectors.
- Challenges: Existing non-integrated programs (e.g., MoHFW's surveillance, DAHD's Livestock Health).
9. Conclusion:
Implementing One Health involves progressive stages, demanding consistent political will and sustainable financing. From communication and collaboration to coordination and integration, each stage contributes to a holistic and integrated approach for improved human, animal, and environmental health.
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For Prelims: One Health, Zoonotic Diseases, Antimicrobial Resistance, Standing Committee on Zoonoses (2006), One Health Pilot Project, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairy (DAHD), and National One Health Mission.
For Mains: 1. Explain the concept of One Health and its significance in addressing contemporary health challenges. Elaborate on the stages involved in the implementation of the One Health approach highlighting the importance of coordination, collaboration, and integration among sectors. (250 words).
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Source: The Hindu
