From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: National One Health Mission; Lumpy Skin disease;
Mains level: Healthcare in India; National One Health Mission;
Why in the news?
In the past, we have seen that there is interdependence between humans, animals, and the environment has been made increasingly evident with the emergence of pandemics such as COVID-19.
- It is not just humans who are affected by pandemics but also livestock — an example being the outbreak of lumpy skin disease that has spread across countries.
Why an integrated idea like the ‘One Health’ Mission is needed?
One Health is an interdisciplinary approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of human health, animal health, and environmental health. It emphasizes collaboration across various sectors, including medicine, veterinary science, ecology, and public health, to address health challenges comprehensively.
Key features of National One Health Mission:
- Intersectoral Collaboration: The mission aims to coordinate, support, and integrate all existing One Health initiatives in the country, including the Ministries of Health and Family Welfare, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Environment, and Science and Technology
- Integrated Disease Surveillance: The mission implements integrated disease surveillance within and across human, animal, and environmental sectors to address communicable diseases, including zoonotic diseases, and improve overall pandemic preparedness and integrated disease control.
- Consolidation of data: The mission creates an integrated, science-based environment where researchers from various disciplines can use laboratories as necessary and generate requisite inputs for One Health Science, including databases and models with a consolidated approach of ecologists, field biologists, epidemiologists, and other scientists.
Challenges in National One Health Mission
- Limited Database: There have been limited efforts to develop databases and models with a consolidated approach of ecologists, field biologists, epidemiologists, and other scientists to understand and respond to the drivers that threaten health and optimize the effectiveness of public health systems in achieving these goals within each sector.
- Lack of Awareness and Understanding: The lack of awareness and understanding of the One Health concept among stakeholders hinders collaborative efforts required to address complex public health issues
- Funding Constraints: Funding constraints are a significant barrier to implementing One Health interventions, especially in low- and middle-income countries that may need more resources to invest in One Health initiatives
Conclusion: To address challenges in the National One Health Mission, efforts must focus on enhancing data collection, raising awareness among the stakeholders, and securing adequate funding. These measures are essential for effective implementation and holistic health management.
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