On April 14, 2023, the Union Minister Parshottam Rupala, Ministry for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAHD), launched projects, ‘Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative’ (APPI) and World Bank (WB)-funded ‘Animal Health System Support for One Health’ (AHSSOH), under the aegis of National One Health Mission to improve India’s preparedness and response to potential animal pandemics.
- AHSSOH is India’s first animal pandemic response plan in collaboration with the World Bank.
About APPI:
i.It is an initiative launched to enhance India’s preparedness and response to animal pandemics and epidemics, with a focus on zoonotic diseases or infections caused by microorganisms that jump from animals to humans.
- Ebola and Sars are examples of zoonotic diseases that pose a threat to both animal and human health.
ii.The key activities under APPI which are at different stages of execution are as follows:
- Defined joint investigation and outbreak response teams (National & state)
- Design an overall integrated disease surveillance system (built on National Digital Livestock Mission)
- Strengthening the Regulatory system (e.g., Nandi online portal and Field trial guidelines)
- Creating disease modelling algorithms and early warning systems
- Strategizing Disaster Mitigation with National Disaster Management Authority
- Initiate targeted R&D to develop vaccines/diagnostics/therapies for priority diseases
- Build genomic and environmental surveillance methods to improve the timeliness and sensitivity of disease detection.
About AHSSOH:
i.The collaborative project will be implemented in 5 states over a five-year period as Central sector scheme with a financial provision of Rs 1228.70 Crore.
ii.The project aims to cover 151 districts in five participating states, wherein it will target upgradation of 75 district/regional laboratories, upgradation/strengthening of 300 veterinary hospitals/dispensaries.
iii.The project also intends to train 9000 para-veterinarians/diagnostic professionals and 5500 veterinary professionals.
iv.The project intends to create an ecosystem in India for a better animal health management system using the One Health approach and it envisages improving capacity building of stakeholders involved in animal health and disease management.
v.The project will include the participation of Human Health, Forest and Environment Department at the national, regional as well as local for creating and strengthening the One Health architecture.
vi.An awareness campaign on prevention of zoonotic diseases and pandemic preparedness was planned under the project at the community level by reaching out to six lakh households.
Additional info:
i.During the event, Bulletin/Publication of One Health Support Unit were released and Videos of APPI and AHSSOH were also launched.
ii.Other Dignitaries who graced the launch event include Dr L. Murugan, Hon’ble Minister of State of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD), Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India , Prof (Dr). Atul Goel, Director General of Health Services, MoH & FW, Mr. Oliver Braedt, Head, Agriculture and Food Global Practice, World Bank, Dr. Abhijit Mitra, Animal Husbandry Commissioner, DAHD.
Note – India has one of the largest national livestock populations in the world at 536.76 million, according to the livestock census, 2019
One health:
One Health is an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals and ecosystems.
It focuses on the health of people, animals and the environment. Strong animal health systems is being an essential part of the One Health approach to support food security and livelihoods of farmers and reduce the risk of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) and zoonoses and Anti- Microbial Resistance (AMR).
About Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAHD):
Union Minister – Parshottam Rupala (Rajya Sabha Gujarat )
Minister of State – Sanjeev Kumar Balyan ; L. Murugan
