National Workshop Charts Roadmap for Pandemic Preparedness and Zoonotic Surveillance

In a significant step toward strengthening India's pandemic preparedness and integrated disease surveillance, the National Institute of One Health (NIOH), Nagpur, under the Department of Health Research (DHR), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, organized a two-day national workshop titled "Operational Frameworks for One Health: National Vision and State Action."

Held in collaboration with ICMR–Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC), Bhubaneswar, the workshop focused on translating the ambitious goals of the National One Health Mission (NOHM) into actionable strategies at the state and district levels.

One Health: From Concept to National Security Imperative

Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Ajay Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA) to the Government of India, underscored the urgency of breaking silos across health systems.

He emphasized that:

"One Health is not just a concept, but the foundation of our national health security and future pandemic preparedness."

Highlighting India's vulnerability due to its ecological diversity and human-animal interface, Prof. Sood called for interoperable surveillance systems integrating:

• Human health data

• Veterinary disease reporting

• Wildlife monitoring

• Environmental intelligence

He noted that early warning systems depend on seamless data flow across departments, positioning Maharashtra as a potential model for structured implementation.

Whole-of-Government Approach to Zoonotic Threats

In his special address, Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, DHR and Director General, ICMR, stressed the importance of coordinated governance in tackling emerging health threats.

He described the National One Health Mission as a "whole-of-government framework," designed to address complex zoonotic risks arising from close human-animal interactions.

"Strengthening coordination among scientific institutions, government departments, and technical partners is critical for national health security," he said.

Dr. Bahl also highlighted the need to establish state and district-level outbreak response teams, enabling faster detection and containment of health emergencies.

High-Level Participation Reflects National Priority

The workshop brought together a wide spectrum of policymakers, scientists, and public health leaders, reflecting the growing importance of the One Health approach.

Key dignitaries included:

• Dr. Naveena B. Maheswarappa, Animal Husbandry Commissioner (virtual)

• Dr. Niteen Patil, Vice Chancellor, MAFSU Nagpur (Chief Guest)

• Dr. Prashant P. Joshi, Executive Director, AIIMS Nagpur

• Dr. Ranjan Das, Director, NCDC

• Dr. Deepak Mhaiskar (IAS), Chairman, SEIAA Maharashtra

• Dr. Satish Raju, Regional Joint Commissioner, Animal Husbandry

• Dr. Pragya Yadav, Director In-charge, NIOH Nagpur

Their participation highlighted the need for multi-sectoral collaboration spanning health, agriculture, environment, and governance.

Tackling Zoonotic Diseases and Spillover Risks

India faces a growing burden of zoonotic diseases, which account for nearly 60–70% of emerging infectious diseases globally, according to international estimates.

The workshop addressed:

• Spillover risks from wildlife to humans

• Surveillance gaps across sectors

• Challenges in early detection and response

• Integration of laboratory networks and field data

Experts stressed that climate change, urbanization, and increased human-wildlife interaction are amplifying these risks.

Two-Day Deep Dive: From Policy to Practice

Day 1: Operationalizing One Health

• Technical sessions on integrated surveillance models

• Panel discussions on governance frameworks

• Case studies on interdepartmental coordination

Day 2: Preparedness and Response

• Biothreat preparedness strategies

• Development of medical countermeasures (vaccines, diagnostics)

• Investigation frameworks for wildlife-linked outbreaks

The sessions aimed to move beyond policy discourse and focus on implementable solutions at ground level.

National One Health Mission: A Strategic Shift

The National One Health Mission (NOHM) represents India's strategic shift toward:

• Integrated disease surveillance systems

• Cross-sectoral data sharing

• Strengthened laboratory and research networks

• Rapid outbreak response mechanisms

It aligns with global frameworks advocated by WHO, FAO, and UNEP, positioning India as a key player in global health security.

Way Forward: Building Resilient Health Systems

The workshop concluded with a strong consensus on:

• Establishing interoperable data platforms

• Strengthening state-level institutional capacity

• Enhancing training and workforce development

• Promoting real-time information sharing

Officials emphasized that effective implementation of One Health could significantly reduce the risk of future pandemics while improving routine public health outcomes.

As India continues to invest in health infrastructure and research, the One Health approach is expected to become a cornerstone of its long-term health security strategy.