New Delhi/Nagpur, March 19: A two-day national workshop on “Operational Frameworks for One Health: National Vision and State Action” was held in Nagpur to strengthen coordination across sectors for improved disease surveillance and pandemic preparedness.
The workshop was organised by the National Institute of One Health (NIOH), Nagpur, under the Department of Health Research, in collaboration with the ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar.
The event aimed to translate the National One Health Mission into actionable strategies at the state and local levels, with a focus on integrating human, animal, and environmental health systems.
Delivering the keynote address, Principal Scientific Advisor Ajay Sood stressed the need for integrated and interoperable surveillance systems.
He said early warning mechanisms depend on seamless data sharing across human health, veterinary, wildlife, and environmental sectors, adding that states like Maharashtra could serve as models for structured implementation of the One Health approach.
Department of Health Research Secretary Rajiv Bahl highlighted the importance of inter-sectoral coordination in tackling zoonotic diseases and strengthening national health security.
He said the One Health Mission reflects a whole-of-government approach, given the complex interactions between humans, animals, and ecosystems that can lead to emerging health threats. He also emphasised the need to strengthen outbreak response mechanisms at the state and district levels.
The workshop included technical sessions and panel discussions on operationalising the One Health framework, with a focus on zoonotic diseases and spillover risks.
Discussions on the second day centred on biothreat preparedness, development of medical countermeasures, and investigation of wildlife-related outbreaks.
The inaugural session was attended by senior officials and experts from health, veterinary, and research institutions, including representatives from AIIMS Nagpur, NCDC, and Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University.
The workshop forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen India’s preparedness against emerging and re-emerging diseases through coordinated policy and scientific action.
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