National Consultation on One Health Legal Framework Launched in New Delhi by Dr. V. K. Paul

Tags: National News

Dr. V. K. Paul, NITI Aayog Member, inaugurated the 'National Consultation on Legal Environment Assessment for One Health Activities in India' in New Delhi.

An Overview of the News

• The event was also attended by Apurva Chandra, Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

• The workshop spanned two days and aimed to evaluate the current legal framework concerning One Health activities in India.

• Key objectives included identifying strengths, gaps, and overlaps in existing laws and regulations affecting One Health initiatives.

• Dr. Rajiv Mani from the Ministry of Law and Justice, Leena Nandan from the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, and Isabelle Tschan, UNDP India Representative, were among the notable attendees and stakeholders.

Overview of One Health Approach:

• One Health emphasizes the interconnectedness of human health, animal health, and the environment.

• It has gained significance due to increased interactions between people, animals, plants, and the environment.

Factors Contributing to One Health Importance:

• Population Dynamics: Growing human populations are expanding into new areas, increasing contact with wild and domestic animals.

• Role of Animals: Animals serve multiple roles such as food, companionship, and economic livelihoods, fostering close human-animal interactions.

• Environmental Changes: Climate change, deforestation, and intensive farming alter landscapes, creating new opportunities for disease transmission among animals and humans.

• Globalization: Increased travel and trade facilitate rapid spread of diseases across borders and continents.

Impact of Zoonotic Diseases:

• Zoonotic diseases, which transfer between animals and humans, pose significant global health challenges.

• Examples include rabies, West Nile virus, Ebola, and various bacterial infections like Salmonella and Brucellosis.

• Animals can serve as early indicators of potential human health threats, as seen with diseases like West Nile virus.

Collaborative One Health Approach:

• Involves collaboration among experts from various fields such as disease control specialists, veterinarians, physicians, and environmental scientists.

• Aims to enhance the health of both humans and animals, including pets, livestock, and wildlife.

• Focuses on integrated efforts across human, animal, and environmental health to prevent and mitigate disease outbreaks.