Central Idea

The global spotlight on the ‘One Health’ concept is illuminating India’s strides in integrating this paradigm to enhance its response to health challenges.
While gaining recent recognition, the One Health approach finds its roots in history.

One Health Approach

Holistic Vision: The One Health approach acknowledges the intricate linkages between the health of humans, animals, plants, and their shared environment.
Historical Foundation: Early traces of One Health can be found in the teachings of Hippocrates and later articulated by 19th-century physician Rudolf Virchow, emphasizing unity in animal and human medicines.

Environmental Impacts: Human growth, urbanization, and industrialization contribute to biodiversity and ecosystem disruption, fostering zoonotic diseases.
Zoonotic Diseases: Roughly 60% of emerging diseases that affect humans are zoonotic, including Ebola, bird flu, and rabies.
Key Concerns: The rise of antimicrobial resistance, vector-borne diseases, and food safety underscores the need for an integrated approach.

Resource Efficiency: One Health fosters coordination across governmental units, reducing resource demands and promoting cross-sectoral collaborations.
Economic Benefits: One Health proves economically prudent, potentially saving billions when compared to pandemic management through non-One-Health strategies.

COVID-19 Impact: The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of the One Health approach.
Indian Initiatives: India established a ‘Standing Committee on Zoonoses’ in 2006 and launched the ‘National One Health Mission’ for coordinated efforts.

Stage 1: Communication: Setting up mechanisms for inter-ministerial communication and stakeholder engagement.
Stage 2: Collaboration: Exchange of knowledge and expertise, defining roles in zoonoses management.
Stage 3: Coordination: Long-term routine activities led by a dedicated agency for seamless collaboration.
Stage 4: Integration: Developing synergies between sectors for streamlined resource sharing and coordinated initiatives.

Integrated Research: Beyond office-sharing, integrated research environments are crucial, allowing access to laboratories and biological samples.
Sample Utilization: Efficient use of expensive and ethical biological samples, such as blood and tissue, enhances collaborative research outcomes.

India’s embrace of the One Health approach reflects its commitment to holistic well-being.
By recognizing the interconnectedness of humans, animals, plants, and the environment, India is laying the groundwork for comprehensive health strategies.
With ongoing initiatives and a vision to seamlessly integrate resources and expertise, India aims to transform its health landscape, ensuring resilience against emerging challenges through a united and holistic approach.