The programme envisages carrying out surveillance of important bacterial, viral and parasitic infections of zoonotic as well as transboundary pathogens in India, including the North-eastern part of the country
The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology, GoI has supported a mega consortium on ‘One Health’. Dr Renu Swarup, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Government of launched the First ‘One Health’ project of DBT through video conferencing. The programme envisages carrying out surveillance of important bacterial, viral and parasitic infections of zoonotic as well as transboundary pathogens in India, including the North-eastern part of the country. The use of existing diagnostic tests and the development of additional methodologies when required are mandated for the surveillance and for understanding the spread of emerging diseases.
Dr Swarup in her address during the launch of the programme remarked that this consortium, consisting of 27 organisations led by DBT-National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad, is one of the biggest health programmes launched by the Govt of India in post-COVID times. The One health consortium consists of AIIMS, Delhi, AIIMS Jodhpur, IVRI, Bareily, GADVASU, Ludhiana, TANUVAS, Chennai, MAFSU, Nagpur, Assam agricultural and veterinary university and many more ICAR, ICMR centres and wildlife agencies.
Subsequently, Dr Swarup, Secretary, DBT inaugurated the International mini-symposium on ’Essentials of One Health’ through video conferencing. She emphasised the need for a holistic approach to understanding the health of humans, animals and wildlife to minimise the damage caused by future pandemics. International and national speakers shared their views on initiating and nurturing the concept of ‘One Health’ where man, animal, plants and environment are needed to be considered complementary to each other for maintaining the health of all.
