[Answered] Examine significance of the ‘One Health’ approach in the context of India’s Public Health System. Evaluate how inter-sectoral coordination and scientific collaboration can mitigate global health risks.

Introduction

Nearly 60–75% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic, notes the World Health Organization. Post-COVID reforms and India’s National One Health Mission (2024) highlight the need for integrated human–animal–environment health systems to strengthen pandemic preparedness.

Significance for India’s Public Health System

One Health is critical for India due to its dense human-animal interface, biodiversity hotspots, and climate vulnerabilities:

1. Addressing Zoonotic Disease Risks: Addresses spillover risks from wildlife (Nipah, SARS-CoV-2) and livestock (Lumpy Skin Disease, Avian Flu). Integrated monitoring of wildlife, livestock, and human populations enables early detection of emerging pathogens.
2. Predictive Disease Surveillance: The One Health framework enables anticipatory responses by identifying spillover risks from wildlife or livestock.
3. Combating Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): Tackles misuse of antibiotics across human medicine, veterinary practice, and aquaculture. Example: National Action Plan on AMR (NAP-AMR) 2.0.
4. Climate Change and Environmental Linkage: Extreme weather events expand vector ranges (dengue, malaria) and disrupt ecosystems.
5. Constitutional and Legal Aspects: It aligns with Article 21 (right to health) and Article 48A (environmental protection). Legally, it bridges gaps between the Epidemic Diseases Act and animal husbandry laws. Economically, it reduces the massive cost of outbreaks COVID-19 alone caused trillions in losses and supports sustainable development goals.

Inter-Sectoral Coordination and Scientific Collaboration

1. National One Health Mission (NOHM): Approved on the recommendation of the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council, the mission integrates 16 ministries for coordinated health governance. The National Institute for One Health, Nagpur acts as the anchor institution for research and coordination. Example: BSL-3 labs, data integration.
2. Federal Public Health System: Public health is largely a state subject under the Constitution, requiring coordination between central agencies and state governments.
3. Inter-Ministerial Coordination: Effective collaboration across ministries of health, agriculture, environment, and fisheries. Example: inter-ministerial scientific study to address zoonotic spillover.
4. Technological and Scientific Capabilities: Leverages genomic surveillance, AI-driven early warning systems, and the National Digital Health Mission for real-time data integration.
5. Digital Disease Monitoring: Artificial intelligence and digital platforms can track unusual disease patterns in wildlife and livestock.
6. Research and Diagnostic Capacity: India has established a network of high-containment laboratories to study infectious diseases. Academic institutions and research agencies collaborate to develop vaccines and diagnostics. Example: BSL-3 labs, vaccine R&D.
7. International Cooperation: One Health strengthens India’s role in global health governance through the Quadripartite (WHO, FAO, WOAH, UNEP). The WHO Pandemic Agreement (2025) promotes pathogen data sharing and equitable access to vaccines.

Challenges in Implementing One Health

1. Fragmented governance across 13+ ministries.
2. Shortage of veterinarians and environmental health experts.
3. Weak data-sharing mechanisms between sectors.
4. Limited community-level awareness and participation.

Way Forward

1. Institutionalise a dedicated One Health unit with budgetary autonomy under the Ministry of Health.
2. Expand surveillance pilots in bird sanctuaries, slaughterhouses, and high-risk zones using BSL-3 labs.
3. Integrate One Health into medical, veterinary, and environmental curricula.
4. Leverage digital tools like the One Health Dashboard for real-time inter-sectoral coordination.
5. Strengthen international collaboration through the WHO Pandemic Agreement and Quadripartite framework.

Conclusion

National progress depends on scientific foresight. One Health offers a holistic pathway to safeguard India’s health security against future pandemics.